Expatriates from 19 countries facing a temporary travel ban due to the coronavirus pandemic will benefit from a recent decision by the General Directorate of Passports (Jawazat) to automatically extend the validity of residency permits (iqama) and exit and re-entry visas without charging an expatriate levy or any other fees until March 31.
Turkey, Lebanon, Ethiopia, Afghanistan, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Mozambique, Botswana, Lesotho, Eswatini, Malawi, Zambia, Madagascar, Angola, Seychelles, Mauritius, Comoros, and Nigeria are among the nations mentioned.
The Jawazat said that it has begun automatically extending the validity of iqama and departure and re- entry visas for expatriates who are currently outside the Kingdom and are from countries subject to travel bans.
According to the Jawazat, the expansion will be carried out automatically in collaboration with the National Information Center, and no personal visits to Jawazat departments would be required.
Expats who had one dose of the coronavirus vaccination within the Kingdom before departing on a re-entry visa will not be qualified for the extension.
The King's decision also includes extending the validity of visit visas issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for those who are currently outside the Kingdom and are citizens of countries that are subject to travel bans as a result of the travel restriction.
The King's decision also involves extending the validity of visit permits given by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to those outside the Kingdom who are from places where travel is prohibited due to the epidemic. The extension will be in effect until March 31.
This extension is part of the government's ongoing efforts to address the effects of the COVID-19 outbreak. It also falls under the umbrella of preventative measures and protocols that safeguard the safety of citizens and expatriates while also helping to mitigate the financial and economic effects of the pandemic.
