How to Check Your Saudi Visa’s Validity

Introduction

Having a visa is an amazing opportunity to explore and experience new cultures and take in new sights. On top of this, you have the chance to reunite with family and friends or engage in business activities in that country.

If you’re a Saudi visa holder, you can access Saudi Arabia’s wealth of historical sites and fantastic career opportunities for foreign nationals.

If you frequently travel to Saudi Arabia or you’re a Saudi resident, it may slip your mind until when your visa is valid. Thankfully, there are easy ways to check. How can you check your Saudi visa’s validity? Where can you check its status? In this article, we share with you ways to track until when you can keep using your visa.

Validity periods 

The validity of a Saudi e-visa will depend on what kind of visa it is. Here’s a look at the current validity periods of Saudi e-visas. For this article, we’ll only look at Saudi visit e-visas, in particular:

Tourist visa: 90 days for a single-entry visa and 365 days or 1 year for a multiple-entry visa, with a total stay duration is 90 days

Family & Friends visa: 90 days to to 1 year for a single-entry visa or 1 year for a multiple-entry visa, with a total stay duration of 90 days

Medical visa: 90 days with a total stay duration of 90 days

Umrah visa: 90 days for a single-entry visa and 365 days or 1 year for a multiple-entry visa, with a total stay duration is 90 days

Business visa: 90 days for a single-entry visa with a total stay duration of 30 days; and 6 months, 1 year, 2 years, or 5 years for a multiple-entry visa, with a total stay duration of 90 days per trip.

Factors affecting validity

A visa’s validity is indicated on the visa on your passport. It refers to the time between its issuance and its expiration dates. The validity is determined by the Saudi embassy or consulate’s policies, as well as the applicant’s eligibility.

Different visas will have different validity periods because of the purpose of the traveler’s entry into Saudi Arabia. Someone with a Saudi tourist visa, for instance, will have a shorter visa validity than someone with a Saudi work or employment visa.

Bilateral agreements between countries may also influence a visa’s validity. Certain countries may permit a shorter or longer visa validity period for citizens from certain countries.

The validity can also be affected by the principle of reciprocity. Say Country A issues a certain validity period for applicants from Country B. Likewise, Country B will also grant the same validity period for applicants from Country A.

Checking visa validity

As mentioned, a visa’s validity will be displayed on the visa on your passport. This is the easiest way for you to check if your visa is still valid. Look for the expiration date to check if you can still use your visa.

On top of this, there are other ways to check your Saudi visa’s validity. Here’s an overview:

1. Muqeem portal

If you are a Saudi resident, an easy way to check your Saudi visa’s validity is through the Muqeem portal. Just enter your visa number and the platform will show your visa’s validity. You can also choose to cross-match your visa number with your Iqama number (applicable if you are a Saudi resident), passport number, name, date of birth, Iqama expiry date, or visa expiry date.

Note that the Muqeem portal will soon be replaced by https://vv.muqeem.sa/#/, which will validate exit and return visas.

2. Absher portal

Saudi residents may also check their visa’s validity through the Absher portal. Simply input your visa number, your sponsor’s ID number (if applicable), and the visa-issuing authority.

3. MOFA Website

Another way to check your Saudi visa’s validity is through Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) website. Just visit MOFA’s Visa services platform and look for the Enquiry field, select “Visa document number, indicate your visa number, and your passport number, followed by your nationality and the image code for the Captcha. Once verified, you’ll see the status of your Saudi visa.

Events that can invalidate a visa

Several events can cause your visa to lose its validity. The following are some examples:

1. Changes in immigration laws or policies.

In case there are changes in the immigration laws, policies, or regulations of a country, it can impact the validity of a visa. There might be changes in how visas are classified, who are eligible for a visa, as well as requirements to apply for a visa.

2. Cancellation or revocation.

Visas can be canceled or revoked at any time if a visa holder violates or does not comply with the visa’s terms and conditions. Reasons such as engaging in illegal activities, fraud, or misrepresentation can cause your Saudi visa to be canceled or revoked.

3. Change in status.

Your visa can be invalidated if there is a change in your circumstances. Say you have a change in marital status, nationality, or work while under a visa, Saudi authorities may cancel or revoke your visa.

4. Travel restrictions or bans.

The home country or the destination country may suddenly issue travel restrictions or bans, making the visa holder unable to travel to Saudi Arabia.

For example, take the case of Japan during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Japanese government temporarily suspended multiple-entry visas at the height of the global health crisis, but later on lifted travel restrictions to boost tourism.

5. Loss or damage.

If your passport gets lost, damaged, or stolen, the visa may become invalid. You may need to re-apply for a new visa to push through with your travel plans to Saudi Arabia.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if you overstay your Saudi tourist visa?

There is a corresponding penalty if you extend your stay in Saudi Arabia beyond the validity of your tourist visa. You will need to pay a fine of SAR 100 ($26.66) at the airport.

Can visas be revoked?

Yes, as mentioned, visas can be canceled or revoked. Visas are governed by terms and conditions and should you violate these, this can revoked for non-compliance. Say you are in Saudi Arabia under an employment visa and you overstay in the country beyond the validity of your visa or you take part in illegal activities, then the government will have every reason to cancel your visa. You may also be an undocumented worker staying in the country without a work visa, which also merits visa cancellation. Other reasons can also be fraud or misrepresentation.

Can you make changes to a Saudi e-visa if there’s a mistake in the visa holder’s information?

No, you cannot make changes to a Saudi e-visa if there is a mistake in the visa holder’s declared information apart from his/her nationality or passport number. As you cannot modify an e-visa, it will need to be canceled and you will need to re-apply for a new e-visa.

What if the embassy issued the visa with the wrong indicated nationality or passport number?

If this is the case, a new visa with the correct nationality or passport number can be issued for a fee. It won’t be necessary to cancel or revoke the old visa.

If you applied for visas as a group but there was an error in one of the visas, will it affect the other visas’ validity?

No, if one visa among other visas issued as a group has an error, it will not affect the other visas’ validity.

Can I get a refund if my Saudi visa application is rejected?

No, unfortunately, you cannot get a refund if your Saudi visa application was denied, as the fees are non-refundable.

Can I extend the validity of my Saudi visa?

In certain cases, it may be possible to extend the validity of your Saudi visa, subject to the type of visa and the visa holder’s circumstances. Make sure to check with a Saudi embassy/consulate or your sponsor to ask about how to request a visa extension and if you are eligible for it.

What if my Saudi visa is expiring soon but I need to extend my stay in Saudi Arabia?

If you need to extend your stay in Saudi Arabia beyond the validity of your Saudi visa, then you should apply for an extension or renewal before your current visa expires. Note that if you are unable to do this, you could face fines, deportation, or being banned from future entry.

Can I leave Saudi Arabia and re-enter it using the same visa?

If you have a multiple-entry Saudi visa, then it is fine to exit and re-enter Saudi Arabia under it. There are other visas, though, that only allow a single entry into the country and have restrictions on re-entry. To check if your visa allows exit and re-entry under the same visa, it is best to consult Saudi travel authorities.

Conclusion

Having a valid visa provides you with the privilege of accessing a country’s natural wonders and rich heritage. Saudi Arabia, for one, offers a wide array of visit visas that allow travelers to enter the country for a variety of purposes, from tourism, engaging in business activities, visiting family and friends, seeking medical treatment, or performing Umrah.

A visa’s validity is based on a variety of factors, from bilateral agreements between countries, the principle of reciprocity, as well as the type of visa.

Visas are governed by terms and conditions, so if you violate or don’t comply with these, your visa may be canceled or revoked.

There are several ways to check your Saudi visa’s validity, such as by visiting platforms and online portals

Visas may be revoked or canceled at any time. To ensure that your visa remains intact, make sure to abide by the laws of the Saudi government while visiting the country.

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