Wednesday, April 9, 2025
Expats can now renew their Iqama, even if their dependents are outside the Kingdom
According to a new policy set up by the General Directorate of Passports (Jawazat) in Saudi Arabia, resident expatriates can renew their "Iqama" (residency permit) even if a dependent or companion is currently outside the Kingdom, as long as the head of the household stays in the Kingdom. Trending: Hajj Ministry announces the last date for Umrah visa holders to stay and enter in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
The purpose of the new ruling is to ease the process of renewing residency permits for expatriates whose family members are now living outside the kingdom.
The new regulation makes it clear that the renewal process can only proceed forward if the household head is physically present in Saudi Arabia.
This policy addresses frequent issues that resident expat families have, such as children going abroad for school, one parent going with a sick family member to the hospital, or family emergencies overseas, and it has major administrative and humanitarian impacts. See Also: KSA suspends short-term visas for 14 countries nationals
In the past, there were complications and even legal concerns associated with the Iqama's expiration due to the requirement that all family members be present in Saudi Arabia.
With the new rules in place, families can keep getting the services they need and being legal even if one member is overseas, so long as the provider or head of the family stays in the kingdom and takes care of the renewal process.
The Saudi Jawazat also made it clear that all family members outside the Kingdom can now have their exit and re-entry visas extended electronically. No more trips to the passport office required! The "SADAD" system and the "Absher" platform make this process simple. Saudi Expatriates channel on imo messenger
Expats can now renew their Iqama, even if their dependents are outside the Kingdom. Saudi-Expatriates.com
