New Temporary Restrictions for Visit Visas Begin July 1, 2014

Saudi Arabia’s General Directorate of Passports (Jawazat) has announced that temporary restrictions on visit visas will apply between July 1 and the end of the Islamic month of Dhul Hijjah (expected to be October 24, 2014). During this period, holders of family visit visas, the visas typically used by accompanying family members of foreign workers, will not be allowed to renew their visas or extend their stays. Saudi consular posts will also limit the number of new family, commercial, and work visit visas to be issued. 

Few details of the upcoming visit visa restrictions are available at this time, including what numerical limitations will apply to the issuance of new visit visas. The Jawazat did clarify, however, that family members of Syrian nationals living in Saudi Arabia will be exempt from the restriction on family visit visa renewals. 

The new restrictions seek to regulate the flow of visitors expected to visit the country for the Hajj pilgrimage. Work visas issued for the purpose of entering Saudi Arabia to obtain a work permit will not be subject to new restrictions. 

What This Means for Employers 

Employers should communicate these new restrictions to their foreign worker population, who will need to account for the unavailability of family visit visa renewals when making plans. In effect, family visit visa holders will be required to leave Saudi Arabia at the end of the authorized period of stay, typically 30 or 90 days. Penalties for overstaying range from fines of SAR 15,000 – 25,000 (approximately US$ 4,000 - 6,700) or possible deportation. 

Employers should also be prepared for delays, as foreign nationals may have to adjust their upcoming plans for travel to Saudi Arabia, either to use the commercial visit visa for short-term business visits or to use the work visit visa for short-term visits involving some technical work. 

How Fragomen Can Assist 

Fragomen can assist clients with planning for the new restrictions on visit visas, including developing strategies for foreign employees who wish to be accompanied by dependent family members. 

Fragomen is monitoring the situation in Saudi Arabia and will issue additional updates when more information becomes available. 

This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to [email protected].

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