Saudi Arabia Introduces Electronic Visa Extensions for Visitors
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) has embarked on a new initiative to streamline the extension of visitor visas, making it far more convenient for those already within its borders.
In a recent development, the General Directorate of Passports, commonly referred to as Jawazat, has officially announced that visitor visa extensions can now be accomplished electronically. This groundbreaking change eliminates the need for physical visits to Jawazat offices, simplifying the procedure for all.
The announcement was made public on Monday, October 23, as revealed by Nairametrics, signifying a significant step forward. Under this innovative system, individuals holding a single-entry visit visa can request an extension of up to seven days before their visa expires. This can be done via the Ministry of Interior’s electronic platforms, specifically Absher Afrad (for individuals) and Absher Aamal (for businesses), in addition to the Muqeem electronic portal.
The process begins by eligible individuals logging into their accounts on these platforms and making the requisite service fee payment for the visa extension.
To extend a visit visa electronically, applicants are required to follow these steps:
- Log in to their Absher or Muqeem account.
- Select the “Visit Visa Extension” service.
- Provide the necessary information and attach any required documents.
- Pay the service fee.
- Submit the application.
Additionally, it is vital to emphasize that valid medical insurance is a mandatory prerequisite for the extension.
The extension process must adhere to the specified terms and conditions, with the total extension duration not exceeding 180 days. For those who may encounter difficulties with the electronic service, the option to submit a request to Jawazat via the communication service on the Absher platform is available. A dedicated team will assess these requests and provide status updates via text messages.”
