Saudi Arabia’s General Directorate of Passports has begun to automatically extend the validity of residence permits (Iqama) and exit and re-entry visas without fees or charges until January 31, 2022. This comes in implementation of the directives of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saudm, reported Saudi Press Agency.

This extension, which was issued by the Minister of Finance, falls within the government’s continuing efforts to deal with the repercussions of Covid-19 pandemic. It also falls within precautionary and preventive measures that guarantee the safety of citizens and residents and contribute to mitigating financial and economic impacts. The Directorate indicated that the extension will be carried out automatically in cooperation with the National Information Centre without the need to visit the departments of passports.

The extension process is as follows:

• Validity of residence permits as well as exit and re-entry visas will be extended for residents who are in the countries from which entry is suspended as a result of Coronavirus until Januay 31 except for those who were fully vaccinated inside the kingdom before they left.
• Validity of visit visas by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will be extended for visitors who are outside the kingdom and from countries facing entry suspension as a result of the outbreak of novel coronavirus until January 31.

(Source: TTN)