Saudi Arabia lifts 3-year entry ban on expats who failed to return before expiry of visa

Saudi Arabia lifts 3-year entry ban on expats who failed to return before expiry of visa

Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — The General Directorate of Passports (Jawazat) has instructed all departments and land, sea and air ports to allow the entry of expatriates, who failed to return before the expiry of their exit and reentry visa. The Jawazat lifted the existing three-year ban on foreign workers who left the Kingdom on exit and reentry visa and failed to return before the expiry of the visa. The new directive came into force on Tuesday, Jan. 16. The directorate enforced the ban earlier following demands made by businessmen to prevent the reentry of those who did not return within the valid period of the exit and reentry visa. The businessmen’s demand was based on the decision of the Council of Ministers not to allow the return of workers who did not come back on time. They noted that such acts of some workers incur them financial losses in terms of the fees for the renewal of their residency permits (iqama), work permits and return tickets of these workers before their departure. The businessmen also noted the workers’ failure to return on time means causing them terminating their contracts and thus harming their interests and affecting the stability of