Saudi Exit Re-Entry Visa: Cost, Extension and How to Apply (2026)
A 2026 guide to the Saudi exit re-entry visa: single vs multiple entry cost, how to extend it from inside or outside the Kingdom, and the most common mistakes that leave expats stuck.
If you work in Saudi Arabia and want to travel home, visit another country, or just leave the Kingdom temporarily, you need an exit re-entry visa before you go, not after. Without it, you cannot come back on the same residency, no matter how valid your iqama is. This guide explains how the exit re-entry visa works in 2026, what it costs, how to extend it if your trip runs long, and the mistakes that get people stuck outside the country.
Quick answer: what you need before you travel
- Decide whether you need a single exit re-entry visa (one trip) or a multiple exit re-entry visa (several trips within its validity).
- Apply through Absher or Muqeem before you leave, your sponsor usually needs to be the one requesting it for you.
- Pay the fee through SADAD before the visa is issued.
- Make sure your iqama stays valid for the length of your trip, since the exit re-entry visa does not extend iqama validity on its own.
Our free exit re-entry visa fee calculator works out the total cost for you and any family travelling with you, based on the length of your trip.
How much does the exit re-entry visa cost?
- Single exit re-entry visa: SAR 200 for the first two months, plus SAR 100 for each additional month.
- Multiple exit re-entry visa: SAR 500 for the first three months, plus SAR 200 for each additional month.
These are the standard published fees. Government fees are occasionally revised, so always confirm the exact amount shown on Absher or Muqeem at the time you apply, rather than relying on a fixed number from any guide, including this one.
Single vs multiple exit re-entry visa: which one do you need?
A single exit re-entry visa covers one trip out and back. If you are only travelling once in the near future, this is the cheaper option. A multiple exit re-entry visa allows several separate trips during its validity period, which works out better value if you expect to travel more than once, for example visiting family more than once a year or travelling for work. Compare the total cost of a multiple visa against buying two or three single visas before deciding, since the break-even point depends on how many trips you actually plan to make.
Extending your exit re-entry visa
If your trip runs longer than planned, you can extend your exit re-entry visa, but the rules and cost differ depending on whether you extend from inside or outside Saudi Arabia.
- Extending while still inside the Kingdom: processed the same way as the original application, through Absher or Muqeem, before your current visa expires.
- Extending while already outside the Kingdom: this is only possible if your iqama still has at least 90 days of validity remaining, and your planned return must be no later than seven days before your iqama expires. Your sponsor requests the extension on your behalf.
Extensions requested from outside the Kingdom typically cost more per month than extending from inside, so where possible, extend before you travel if you already suspect your trip might run long.
Common mistakes that get people stuck
- Letting the iqama expire while abroad. The exit re-entry visa does not keep your iqama valid, if your iqama expires while you are outside the country, you can be refused re-entry regardless of your visa status.
- Applying for the wrong type. Buying a single-entry visa when you actually need to make several trips often ends up costing more overall than one multiple-entry visa.
- Assuming the fee is refundable. It generally is not, and cancelling an unused visa before it lapses can avoid a separate penalty fee, so cancel early if your plans change rather than letting it expire unused.
- Leaving the extension too late. If your iqama drops below the 90-day threshold while you are still outside the Kingdom, you may not be able to extend remotely and will need to resolve it through your sponsor or embassy.
How to pay and check your visa
- Log in to Absher or Muqeem with your Iqama number.
- Select the exit re-entry visa service and choose single or multiple.
- Pay the fee through SADAD using a valid Saudi bank account.
- Print or save the visa confirmation, airlines and border control may ask to see it.
Plan the rest of your trip around it
An exit re-entry visa is usually one part of a bigger move. If your iqama is close to expiry before you travel, check our guide on how to check your iqama status first. If you are sending money home before or during your trip, our free SAR to PKR converter and remittance cost calculator help you compare rates and fees. And if the trip is connected to leaving your job for good, our end of service benefits calculator shows what you are owed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Saudi exit re-entry visa cost?
A single exit re-entry visa costs SAR 200 for two months plus SAR 100 per extra month. A multiple exit re-entry visa costs SAR 500 for three months plus SAR 200 per extra month. Confirm the current fee on Absher or Muqeem before paying.
Can I apply for the exit re-entry visa myself?
Your sponsor (employer for workers, or head of household for dependents) is typically the one who submits the request through Absher or Muqeem on your behalf.
Can I extend my exit re-entry visa while I'm already abroad?
Yes, if your iqama still has at least 90 days of validity remaining and you plan to return at least seven days before it expires. Your sponsor requests the extension.
What happens if my iqama expires while I'm outside Saudi Arabia?
You can be refused re-entry even with a valid exit re-entry visa, since the two are separate. Always check your iqama expiry date covers your full trip before you leave.
Is the exit re-entry visa fee refundable?
Generally no. If your plans change, cancelling an unused visa early can help you avoid a separate lapse penalty.
Single or multiple exit re-entry visa, which is cheaper?
It depends on how many trips you plan. A single visa is cheaper for one trip, but if you expect to travel more than once in the visa's validity period, a multiple-entry visa is usually better value than buying several single visas.
Final word
The exit re-entry visa is a small piece of paperwork with a big consequence if you get it wrong; book it before you travel, match the type to how many trips you actually plan, and keep an eye on your iqama expiry the whole time you are away. Get those three things right and it is one less thing to worry about on your trip.