If you work in Saudi Arabia on an Iqama, you cannot travel home and come back on the same visa. You need an exit re-entry visa, and the fee is charged per person, per trip, before you fly. For most expatriates the schedule looks like this: SAR 200 for a single-entry visa covering up to two months, or SAR 500 for a multiple-entry visa covering up to three months. Every extra month costs more, and extending from outside the Kingdom costs double.
This guide breaks down the full exit re-entry visa fee structure, the extension table, the Absher steps, the family cost calculation, and the mistakes that turn a holiday into a three-year work visa ban. Fees are quoted in Saudi riyals and reflect the schedule applied through 2026, which remains the basis for 2027 travel. Confirm the live figure in Absher before paying, because the government can change fees by decision.
Base Fees — Single vs Multiple Entry
| Visa type | Base fee | Covered duration | Extra month inside KSA | Extra month outside KSA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single entry | SAR 200 | Up to 2 months | SAR 100 | SAR 200 |
| Multiple entry | SAR 500 | Up to 3 months | SAR 200 | SAR 400 |
| Absher / SADAD processing | SAR 103.50 | Per transaction | — | — |
| Final exit visa | Free | One-way departure | Not extendable | SAR 70 processing |
Full Duration Table — What You Actually Pay
Each traveller needs their own visa, including children. There is no child discount. The table below shows the total visa fee for one person, excluding the SAR 103.50 processing charge.
| Time outside the Kingdom | Single entry (SAR) | Multiple entry (SAR) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 month | 200 | 500 |
| 2 months | 200 | 500 |
| 3 months | 300 | 500 |
| 4 months | 400 | 700 |
| 5 months | 500 | 900 |
| 6 months | 600 | 1,100 |
| 9 months | 900 | 1,700 |
| 12 months | 1,200 | 2,300 |
Worked Example — A Family of Four
A nurse in Riyadh travelling with a husband and two children for the two-month school break needs four separate single-entry visas. The cost is 4 × SAR 200 = SAR 800, plus the processing fee for each transaction. If the same family needs 90 days instead of 60, the single-entry cost becomes 4 × SAR 300 = SAR 1,200, while a multiple-entry visa at SAR 500 each would come to SAR 2,000.
The rule of thumb: for a single trip of two months or less, take single entry. Take multiple entry only when you genuinely expect two or more departures inside the validity window — otherwise you are paying SAR 300 extra per person for nothing.
Absher Process — Step by Step
- Log in to Absher (or Muqeem for the employer side) with your national single sign-on.
- Go to My Services → Passports (Jawazat) → Visa Services.
- Select the person: yourself or a dependent on your family file.
- Choose single or multiple entry and the number of months.
- The system generates a SADAD bill. Pay it through any Saudi bank app.
- Return to Absher and issue the visa — payment alone does not issue it.
- Download the visa document and carry a printed copy with your passport.
For dependents, repeat the same steps under each dependent’s Iqama number. The head of the household usually needs to complete the transaction for the family file.
Exit Re-Entry vs Final Exit — Do Not Confuse Them
| Feature | Exit re-entry visa | Final exit visa |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Travel and return on the same Iqama | Leave permanently; residency ends |
| Government fee | From SAR 200 (single) | Free, plus about SAR 70 processing |
| Passport validity needed | At least 90 days | At least 60 days |
| Deadline to leave | Within 3 months of issue | Within 60 days of issue |
| Return allowed | Yes, before the return date | No — a new visa is required |
Five Mistakes That Cost Expats Thousands
- Overstaying the return date. Failing to return before the visa expires can trigger a three-year ban on a new work visa, with only narrow exceptions. Book the return flight before the visa window closes, not on the last day.
- Paying before checking the Iqama. If the Iqama expires mid-trip, the visa becomes invalid and the fee is gone.
- Assuming the dependent fee covers travel. The monthly dependent levy (SAR 400 per dependent for many family visas) is a residency charge. It grants no travel permission at all.
- Travelling with unpaid traffic fines. Outstanding violations can block issuance. Clear them through Absher first.
- Requesting an extension from abroad without checking the rate. Extensions from outside the Kingdom cost double — SAR 200 per month for a single visa and SAR 400 for a multiple. Some Jawazat call-centre answers still quote the inside-Kingdom rate, so read the Absher total before confirming.
Exit Re-Entry Visa and the Rest of Your File
The re-entry visa is only one line item in the yearly cost of staying in Saudi Arabia. Two related guides on this site complete the picture: the Iqama renewal fee breakdown, which explains the base fee, the monthly dependent levy and the exit-only permit, and the Saudi driving licence guide, which covers converting a foreign licence and the renewal cycle. If you are still at the job-search stage, start with the Saudi Arabia work visa 2027 guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the exit re-entry visa for one person?
SAR 200 for a single-entry visa covering up to two months, or SAR 500 for a multiple-entry visa covering up to three months, plus roughly SAR 103.50 in Absher processing charges.
Do children pay the same fee?
Yes. The schedule is charged per traveller with no age discount, so a two-year-old on a two-month single visa costs the same SAR 200 as an adult.
Can I extend the visa from Pakistan or India?
Yes, but at double the rate: SAR 200 per added month for a single visa and SAR 400 for a multiple. Extension from abroad is normally done through the Saudi embassy or the Absher service if the sponsor is still inside the Kingdom.
How long does the visa take to issue?
Usually instantly once the SADAD payment clears and there are no fines or blocked records. In some cases it takes one to three working days.
Can I travel on the same visa twice?
No. A single-entry visa allows one exit and one return. If you need several trips inside three months, pay for the multiple-entry visa.
What happens if I do not return before the visa expires?
The visa lapses and the Iqama is at risk. In most cases the resident cannot re-enter on the same Iqama and a new work visa may be blocked for three years, unless a specific exemption applies.
Bottom Line
For 2027 travel planning, keep three numbers in mind: SAR 200 for a single-entry visa of two months, SAR 500 for multiple entry of three months, and SAR 103.50 for the processing charge. Multiply by the number of travellers, check the Iqama expiry before paying, and remember that fees are non-refundable once SADAD clears. The cheapest mistake is the one you plan for in advance.
