Saudi Exit/Re-Entry Visa 2026: Check Status on Muqeem, Fees, Validity & Penalties

Last updated: Jun 11, 2026

What Is a Saudi Exit/Re-Entry Visa?

A Saudi exit/re-entry visa is a permit that lets expatriate residents leave Saudi Arabia and return within a set timeframe without losing their residency status. Every expatriate worker, dependent, and domestic worker in the Kingdom needs one before travelling internationally.

The visa comes in two types, both tied to your Iqama (residency permit) and usable only before it expires. A single exit/re-entry visa allows one departure and one return, while a multiple exit/re-entry visa permits unlimited trips during its validity period.

Applications are handled entirely online through the Absher and Muqeem (خدمة مقيم) platforms. Physical visits to Jawazat offices are no longer required for standard applications.

How to Check Your Exit/Re-Entry Visa Status

You can check the status and validity of a Saudi exit/re-entry visa in two ways: through your personal Absher account, or through the Muqeem (خدمة مقيم) visa-validity portal, which needs no Absher login. Both confirm whether your visa is a single or multiple exit/re-entry visa, its issue and expiry dates, and its current status.

Re-Entry Visa Check via Absher

Log in to the Absher platform
Go to “Guaranteed Services”
Click “Inquiries”, then “Exit and Return Visa Status”
Your visa details, including validity and status, appear on screen

Re-Entry Visa Check via Muqeem (خدمة مقيم) — No Absher Login

If you cannot access Absher, or you are already outside Saudi Arabia, use the public Muqeem (خدمة مقيم) visa-validity portal, which requires no Absher account and works from anywhere. This is the simplest way to check an exit/re-entry visa, including a single exit/re-entry visa, from abroad.

Open the Muqeem visa validity portal (بوابة التحقق من التأشيرات)
Enter your Iqama number or visa number
Cross-match using one of the following: visa number, passport number, name, date of birth, Iqama expiry date, or visa expiry date
Click “Check” to view your visa type, validity, and status

Take a screenshot or print your visa status to show immigration officers when travelling. The Muqeem (خدمة مقيم) check is the recommended way to confirm a re-entry visa is still valid before you fly back to the Kingdom.

For a detailed walkthrough on checking your visa validity through Muqeem, see our guide on Muqeem visa validity.

Who Can Apply and What You Need

Both employees and sponsors can obtain an exit/re-entry visa, but through different routes. Employees may use Absher self-service, while sponsors and employers issue visas for their workers and dependents.

Who Can Apply

Employees: can apply for their own exit/re-entry visa through Absher’s self-service option. Depending on your contract, some sponsors require explicit approval while others let HR process applications automatically, so check your terms first
Sponsors and employers: can issue exit/re-entry visas for their workers, dependents, and domestic staff through both Absher and Muqeem

Requirements

Before a visa can be issued, all of the following conditions must be met.

Physical presence in Saudi Arabia at the time of issuance. If you are already abroad, your sponsor must arrange a new entry visa instead
Valid Iqama with at least 90 days of remaining validity in addition to the requested visa period (for example, a 30-day visa requires at least 120 days of Iqama validity)
Passport validity of at least 90 days
All outstanding traffic violations and fines settled by the individual, worker, or employer
Fingerprint registration completed for males and females aged 15 and older
No existing valid visa already issued for the same individual

How to Apply for a Saudi Exit/Re-Entry Visa

The application route depends on who you are. Employees apply via Absher self-service, sponsors issue dependent visas via Absher, and employers issue worker visas via Muqeem.

For Employees (Self-Service via Absher)

Employees can apply for their own exit/re-entry visa directly through Absher.

Log in to your Absher account
Select “Services” from the “My Services” menu
Select “Passports”
Click “Visa Requests”, then “Create Visa Request”
Choose the request type as “Exit Re-Entry Visa (Single)”
Enter the required return period in the “Return Before” section (maximum 30 days)
Acknowledge the agreement and click “Confirm”

After submitting, you must wait at least 10 days. Starting from the 11th day, you have a five-day window to pay the fees and issue the visa before the request expires.

If your employer objects, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development reviews and decides on your case within 10 days of the application date.

For Dependents (via Absher)

Sponsors can issue exit/re-entry visas for dependents through Absher.

Log in to your Absher account
Select “Services” from the “Family Members” menu
Select “Visa Services”
Click “Next”, then select the dependent from “More Details”
Click “Issue Visa” and agree to the terms and conditions
Choose between a single or multiple exit/re-entry visa
Select the period matching the fee you paid and click “Confirm”

You can download or print the visa from the screen. A printout is required when travelling with dependents, to show immigration authorities outside Saudi Arabia.

The visa holder must travel within three months of issuance. Failing to do so may result in a fine.

For Workers and Domestic Staff (via Muqeem)

Employers can issue an electronic exit/re-entry visa for workers through the Muqeem (خدمة مقيم) portal.

Log in to the Muqeem system with your registered ID
Hover over “Electronic Transactions”
Select “Electronic Exit Re-Entry Visa”, then “Issue Exit Re-Entry Visa”
Enter the security code sent to your registered mobile number
Enter the worker’s Iqama number and the exit/return period
Verify the dates and click “Issue Visa”

Processing typically takes 24 to 72 hours, depending on the platform. Non-Saudi workers are not charged an application fee directly, as it is the employer’s responsibility.

Saudi Exit/Re-Entry Visa Fees

An electronic single exit/re-entry visa costs SAR 200 as a base fee, while a multiple exit/re-entry visa starts at SAR 500. Additional months are charged on top, as set out below.

Visa Type	Base Fee	Additional Months
Single exit/re-entry (up to 2 months)	SAR 200 (~USD 53)	SAR 100 per extra month
Multiple exit/re-entry (up to 3 months)	SAR 500 (~USD 133)	SAR 200 per extra month

Additional months are calculated up to the Iqama expiry date. For fee purposes, 1 to 30 days counts as one month and 31 to 60 days counts as two months.

All exit/re-entry visa fees are non-refundable, even if the visa is cancelled. The General Directorate of Passports (Jawazat) has confirmed this policy applies regardless of the reason for cancellation.

Validity of a Single vs Multiple Exit/Re-Entry Visa

Both visa types run only up to your Iqama expiry, but they differ in how many trips they cover. A single exit/re-entry visa covers one round trip; a multiple visa covers unlimited trips.

Single exit/re-entry visa: allows one departure and one return within its validity (maximum 30 days for employee self-service requests, or up to the Iqama expiry for sponsor-issued visas)
Multiple exit/re-entry visa: allows unlimited departures and returns, with validity starting from the date of issuance or first departure depending on the visa terms, up to the Iqama expiry date

Extending Your Visa From Outside Saudi Arabia

If you are abroad and your exit/re-entry visa is about to expire, your sponsor can extend it online via Absher or Muqeem, subject to Iqama-validity rules and per-month extension fees. For the full process, fees and rules on extending your re-entry visa from abroad, see our dedicated guide on extending a Saudi exit/re-entry visa.

Penalties, Fines and What Happens if Your Visa Expires

Two separate penalties apply if things go wrong: a fine for not travelling after issuing the visa, and an overstay fine for returning late. The old three-year re-entry ban no longer applies.

If You Don’t Travel After Getting the Visa

If your exit/re-entry visa expires before you depart Saudi Arabia and you don’t cancel it in time, the passport office imposes a fine of SAR 1,000 for the first offence. Second and third offences incur SAR 2,000 and SAR 3,000 respectively.

To avoid this, cancel the visa through Absher before it expires if your travel plans change. The visa fee itself is still non-refundable.

If You Overstay Outside Saudi Arabia

If you remain outside the Kingdom beyond your visa’s expiry date, overstay penalties of approximately SAR 375 (USD 100) per month accumulate automatically. These must be paid at the airport or through Absher before your re-entry is processed.

Three-Year Re-Entry Ban: Lifted

The automatic three-year re-entry ban for workers who failed to return before their visa expired has been removed. Jawazat lifted this ban effective 16 January 2024, so foreign workers who overstayed can now re-enter Saudi Arabia on a new work visa sponsored by a previous or new employer.

While the ban has been removed, overstay fines and administrative requirements still apply. If your visa expired while abroad, coordinate with your sponsor to arrange a new entry visa, then book your flights back to Saudi Arabia.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check my exit/re-entry visa without Absher?

Use the public Muqeem (خدمة مقيم) visa-validity portal at vv.muqeem.sa, which needs no Absher login. Enter your Iqama or visa number, cross-match one detail such as your passport number or date of birth, and click “Check” to see your visa type, validity and status. This also works from outside Saudi Arabia.

How can I check my re-entry visa status from outside Saudi Arabia?

The Muqeem (خدمة مقيم) visa-validity portal can be accessed from anywhere in the world and does not require an Absher account. Enter your Iqama or visa number with one matching identifier to confirm whether your single or multiple exit/re-entry visa is still valid before you fly back.

Can I travel after my exit/re-entry visa expires?

No. If your visa expires while you are abroad, you cannot re-enter Saudi Arabia on the expired visa. Your sponsor or employer must arrange a new entry visa for you, so contact them as soon as possible to avoid accumulating overstay penalties.

Can I convert a single exit/re-entry visa to a multiple-entry visa?

No. You cannot convert between visa types. A new application and separate payment are required if you want a multiple-entry visa after already obtaining a single-entry one.

Will I get a refund if I cancel my exit/re-entry visa?

No. Jawazat has confirmed that exit/re-entry visa fees are completely non-refundable, even if the visa is cancelled before use. Make sure you are certain about your travel plans before issuing the visa.

Is the three-year re-entry ban still in effect?

No. As of 16 January 2024, Jawazat lifted the three-year ban that previously applied to workers who failed to return before their exit/re-entry visa expired. However, overstay fines still apply, and you will need a new work visa to re-enter the Kingdom.

Sources

Disclaimer: Wego strives to ensure all information presented in this article is accurate and up to date at the time of publication. Travel policies, prices, visa requirements, and conditions can change rapidly. We strongly recommend verifying critical details with official sources before making travel decisions. Wego does not accept liability for any inaccuracies, oversights, or changes that may occur after publication.