Saudi Arabia Lifts Three-Year Entry Ban for Expats with Expired Visas

Saudi Arabia has officially ended the three-year entry ban for expatriates who failed to return before their visas expired. The General Directorate of Passports (Jawazat) issued a directive effective January 16, instructing all departments to allow entry for those who faced the previous restriction.

Relief for Expatriates

Originally imposed in 2022, the entry ban was enacted by the General Directorate of Passports as a measure to regulate expatriates' return to the Kingdom within the stipulated time frame. Departing expatriates failing to return in the specified period faced a three-year entry prohibition. Notably, individuals with re-entry visas were required to adhere to the visa's timeline or secure a new visa through their employer.

'Exited and Did Not Return' Policy

Under the previous regulations, the General Directorate of Passports had implemented a tracking system. Expatriates who "exited and did not return" after two months beyond their visa expiry were documented, serving as a record for the enforcement of the entry ban. The recent directive brings relief to expatriates affected by the previous stringent measures, allowing them to enter Saudi Arabia without the previous three-year restriction.