Saudi Exit and Re-Entry Visa for Workers 2026: Rules, Fees & Absher Process

A Saudi exit and re-entry visa is the permit that lets a resident worker leave Saudi Arabia and return during a set period, and it is issued by your employer through Absher or Muqeem. A single exit and re-entry visa typically costs SAR 200 for up to two months, while a multiple exit and re-entry visa typically costs SAR 500 for up to three months, with extra monthly charges for longer validity. Always confirm your return deadline before you fly, because an expired exit and re-entry visa cannot be used to re-enter the Kingdom.

The two types serve different travel patterns. A single exit and re-entry visa allows one departure and one return within its validity. It suits a single annual holiday or one family visit. A multiple exit and re-entry visa allows repeated travel in and out during its validity, which suits workers who travel often for family or business reasons.

• Single: typically SAR 200 for up to two months, plus SAR 100 per additional month.

• Multiple: typically SAR 500 for up to three months, plus SAR 200 per additional month.

• Dependants: typically SAR 200 per dependant for up to two months on a single visa, with monthly additions.

Fees are set by the authorities and can change, so confirm the current Absher fee display at the time of issue. Your employer usually pays, but some contracts pass the cost to the worker, so check your contract.

The process is employer-driven, but you should know each step so you can chase delays. First, you submit a leave request to your employer with your travel dates. Second, your employer logs into Absher Business or Muqeem, selects your iqama record, chooses single or multiple exit and re-entry, sets the duration, and pays the fee. Third, the visa is issued electronically against your iqama; there is usually no sticker in your passport.

Fourth, you verify the visa yourself in your own Absher Individuals account before travelling, checking the return deadline and visa type. Fifth, you travel and return before the deadline. Never rely on a screenshot from someone else: open your own Absher record and confirm the dates match your ticket.

Several conditions catch workers out. Your iqama must be valid for the visa to be issued, and your passport should have sufficient validity for travel. Workers with unpaid traffic fines, unresolved legal cases or employer objections may find issuance blocked until those items are cleared. Domestic workers have separate rules under the Musaned system, and their exit and re-entry process differs from the standard employee route.

• Iqama validity: the visa cannot extend beyond your iqama in most cases.

• Fines and cases: clear traffic fines and legal holds before applying.

• Employer approval: your employer can decline or delay issuance, so request leave early.

• Final exit contrast: a final exit visa ends your residency and cannot be reversed into a return visa, so never accept a final exit when you meant to take leave.

If your plans change while you are abroad, act before the visa expires. Your employer can usually extend the exit and re-entry visa through Absher while you remain outside the Kingdom, as long as your iqama is still valid. Extensions are charged per additional month and must be requested in time; once the visa has expired, the process becomes an expired-visa extension request, which is discretionary and can take longer.

If your iqama itself expires while you are abroad, the situation is more serious and your employer will need to renew the iqama first, which may require coordination with the authorities. Keep a copy of your iqama number, your Absher login details and your employer's HR contact accessible while travelling, because you will need them to resolve any problem from abroad.

The most common mistake is confusing the visa validity with the leave approved by the employer. Your employer may approve 60 days of leave while the visa allows only 45 days, and the visa date is the one that controls re-entry. Another frequent error is booking a return flight on the expiry date itself, leaving no margin for a delay or cancellation. A third is travelling while a final exit has been issued by mistake, which cancels residency entirely.

• Check the Absher return date, not just your leave approval.

• Keep at least a few days of margin before the expiry date.

• Confirm single versus multiple status if you plan more than one trip.

• Carry your iqama details and employer contact while travelling.

If you discover an error at the airport, contact your employer immediately; airport staff cannot extend a visa on the spot.

Planning a Saudi career starts with the right employer, and the right employer handles exit and re-entry visas properly. Browse live Saudi roles on SteadStaff and apply for positions with employers who offer clear leave policies and proper iqama management. Apply on SteadStaff today, and once you are in role, keep your Absher record checked and your return dates diarised so that every trip home ends with a smooth return.