If you live in Saudi Arabia on an iqama and want to travel abroad, you cannot simply leave: you need an exit and re-entry visa first. This guide explains the single, multiple and final exit options in 2026, their fees on Absher, and the penalties for getting the timing wrong.
Why you need one
Under the sponsorship system, your right to be in Saudi Arabia is tied to your iqama, and leaving without a valid exit and re-entry visa means you cannot come back on the same residence permit. The visa is essentially permission to pause your residency, travel, and resume it on return. Skilled professionals under the Labour Reform Initiative can in many cases request their own exit and re-entry visas through Absher without waiting on the employer, though the establishment still sees the record.
The three types explained
- Single exit and re-entry: lets you leave and return once within its validity. Best for a one-off holiday or home visit.
- Multiple exit and re-entry: lets you travel in and out several times within its validity. Best for frequent travellers.
- Final exit: for leaving the Kingdom permanently when your job ends. It cancels your iqama on departure.
Fees and validity in 2026
Applications are made by your sponsor, or by you if authorised, through Absher or Muqeem. The base government fees are straightforward, though an Absher processing charge applies per transaction.
| Visa type | Base fee | Typical validity |
|---|---|---|
| Single exit and re-entry | SAR 200 | Up to 2 months |
| Multiple exit and re-entry | From SAR 500 | Up to 3 months |
| Final exit | No exit-visa fee (settle dues first) | One departure |
Your iqama must be valid and cover the full period of the exit visa; the system will not issue an exit visa that outlasts your iqama.
How to apply on Absher
- Log in to Absher Individuals with your Nafath-verified account, or ask your sponsor to apply on your behalf.
- Open the passport or exit and re-entry services section and choose single or multiple.
- Check that the proposed validity fits inside your remaining iqama period.
- Pay the fee through SADAD in your banking app; the visa is issued electronically and linked to your iqama.
There is no need to print anything at immigration, as the visa is read directly from your record when you pass through the airport.
Extensions
If your travel runs long, the visa can be extended online. Extensions from abroad are commonly SAR 200 for a single visa and SAR 400 for a multiple visa, with an Absher processing fee of around SAR 103.50 per transaction. Your sponsor can process the extension via Absher or Muqeem, subject to iqama validity. Apply for the extension before the current visa expires, because extending a live visa is far simpler than clearing an overstay after the fact.
Overstay penalties
Timing matters. If you remain outside the Kingdom past your visa’s expiry, an overstay penalty of roughly SAR 375 per month accrues automatically and must be cleared through Absher or at the airport before re-entry. Separately, if your exit and re-entry visa expires while you are still inside Saudi Arabia and you fail to cancel it, the passport office fines SAR 1,000 for a first offence, SAR 2,000 for a second and SAR 3,000 for a third.
| Situation | Penalty |
|---|---|
| Overstay abroad past visa expiry | Around SAR 375 per month |
| Visa expires inside KSA, not cancelled (1st) | SAR 1,000 |
| Second offence | SAR 2,000 |
| Third offence | SAR 3,000 |
Also remember that cancelled exit and re-entry visas are not refunded, so only apply once your travel dates are firm.
Quick tips
- Always confirm your iqama expiry before applying; the exit visa cannot outlast it.
- Choose multiple entry if you plan more than one trip in the validity window; it is cheaper than repeated single visas.
- Keep your sponsor informed if you self-apply, as the record sits under their establishment.
- Check for and clear traffic fines before travelling, as unpaid fines can block issuance.
Final exit process
A final exit ends your residency cleanly. Before it is issued, clear any traffic fines, settle liabilities and complete end-of-service formalities with your employer, including your end-of-service benefits. Your employer usually initiates the final exit, and you should confirm the details on Absher before you accept it, because once you depart on a final exit your iqama is cancelled and cannot be reversed. Sell or transfer your car, close utility accounts and settle any loans first. Note the old three-year re-entry ban for overstayers was lifted in January 2024, so a clean departure need not close the door on returning on a new work visa later.
Bottom line
Match the visa to your travel: single for one trip, multiple for frequent travel, final exit to leave for good. Keep the visa validity inside your iqama validity, and never let it lapse while you are still in the country. For the wider residency framework see our Absher and Muqeem guide, the Saudi visa overview, and our working in Saudi Arabia guide.
Read next: Freelance & Self-Employment in Saudi Arabia 2026: Permit & How to Apply
Primary source: the Saudi visa platform of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
