All categories of Saudi Arabian visas can be extended at the discretion of the Kingdom’s General Directorate of Passports, provided the applicants initiate the process well before the expiry date of their visa. Overstaying beyond the visa expiry date can result in statutory fines, custody and even deportation from the Kingdom. Employers can also be punished for failing to report the visa expiry of their employees.
On similar grounds, citizens of the UK, who intend to extend their exit/re-entry visas to lengthen their stay in Saudi Arabia can do so, provided they have a valid reason for the extension and that their Saudi Residence permit is still valid. All Saudi visa extensions requests are granted by the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia in London. Applications for extension of the return visa need to be filed with the Saudi Arabian Embassy, along with a copy of the applicant’s Iqama. An expat is eligible for visa extension if they return to the KSA within 30 days of the expiry of their exit/re-entry visa.
Requirements for Saudi Arabia Visa Extension
This Saudi visa application is meant for holders of a valid Saudi work visa or residency permit, who would like to get an extension of an existing exit visa. The documents needed for the application are as follows:
1. Passport
The original passport of the applicant needs to be submitted. The passport should be valid for at least six months after the entry date and must have at least two blank pages for printing the visa. The passport should be in good condition and machine readable.
2. Photograph
Two passport-sized photographs need to be submitted. They need to be colour photographs, clicked against a white background, showing the full frontal view of the applicant face, without spectacles. No headgear is permitted as well, unless it is for religious purposes. The photographs need to be clear and printed on high-quality photo paper. The dimensions are 35mm by 45mm. The photograph should be taken within the last three months before submitting the application. The photographs must not be affixed to the application form, as no adhesives or staples are permitted.
3. Letter of Introduction
Applicants will need to submit a letter of introduction from their sponsor in Saudi Arabia, which has to be addressed to the Consular Section. The letter should provide details regarding the reason for extension. The letter needs to be attested by the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA). Applicants can get in touch with our consultants at help@saudiarabiavisa.co.uk, for all their legalisation and attestation needs.
4. Proof of Approval
Applicants need to log in to their accounts on the Absher website, to check for extension approval, granted by the MOFA. The copy of the approval for extension has to be submitted, along with the application, to the Saudi Embassy in London.
5. Proof of Travel Arrangements
A copy of the applicant’s flight confirmation details, from the UK to the Kingdom, is required.
6. Photocopy of Supporting Documents
Photocopies of the following documents need to be submitted with the application:
- Valid Saudi Residency Permit
- Previously issued Exit/Re-entry visa, which should have expired no more than one month prior to the date of application
7. E-Number Application Form
One E-Number application form; fully filled and signed in original has to be submitted. It should be printed on separate sheets of A4-sized paper, with the reverse side blank.
8. Visa Application Form
Fully completed visa application form has to be submitted, according to the following guidelines:
- Black ink should be used only to fill the form
- All details should be written in block letters
- Only the applicant should fill up the form
- No changes in handwriting or correction fluid are allowed
- Fully completed form needs to be submitted
For applicants who intend to enter the KSA through the Saudi-Bahrain Causeway, it is recommended to check the terms and conditions of the visa before departure. Once the visa application is submitted to the Embassy, the process cannot be expedited or passport retrieved until completion. In case of an emergency, the Embassy of Saudi Arabia in London can return the passport, upon submission of a written application by the applicant to Saudi Able Link, addressed to the Saudi Embassy in London. The passport will be returned to us within 48 hours.
In such cases, the application process will be cancelled. To re-initiate the application, a fresh form will have to be submitted, along with the requisite documents and fees. Applicants are allowed to hold one valid visa at a time. A written application, addressed to the Embassy, needs to be provided for cancellation of a valid visa.
Approval or rejection of the application for extension of visa validity is completely at the discretion of the Saudi Arabia Embassy in London. The Embassy charges a processing fee of £9.00 for every application.
Application Process for Saudi Arabia Visa Extension
Step 1: You will need to obtain a letter, signed and stamped by your sponsor company, addressed to the Saudi Embassy in London, requesting them to extend the single/multiple re‐entry visa. This letter needs to be attested by the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA). After the MOFA attests this document, the letter will be faxed to the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia in London.
Step 2: Download the Saudi Able Link Application pack and complete the application form and compile all the required documents. Please send scanned copies of all your documents to our consultants for a free pre-check, so that we can ensure they are in the correct order, before initiating the application process.
Our consultants will also assist you with all the legalisation requirements, through our contacts at the various authorising bodies in London. Send an email to help@saudiarabiavisa.co.uk with your requirements.
Step 3: After all documents are in order, send all items by Royal Mail Special Delivery or courier to our address in London. You can also submit them personally by visiting our office. To do so, kindly contact us at 0207 096 1985. Once we receive your package, we will commence the application process immediately.
Step 4: We will send your application with all requisite documents to the Saudi Embassy in London. Once your visa has been issued, our representatives will notify you immediately. We will pick up your passport from the Embassy. The original passport with the visa stamp, will be sent to you via special delivery through a next-day guaranteed service. You will be provided the tracking number for the package, as soon as it is couriered.
Conclusion
Extension of the Saudi Arabia Exit/Re-Entry visa is granted only if the applicant has a letter issued by their Saudi sponsor and attested by the MOFA. The letter should detail the reason for the extension. The applicant also needs to hold a valid Saudi Arabia residence permit.
The Saudi Embassy in London is closed on Fridays. Applicants need to consider any consular closing times, to estimate the time needed for the visa to be processed and returned to them.
The consultants at Saudi Able Link will guide you through every step of the way. We will ensure that you submit the requisite documents to the Embassy, complete with the required attestations from the various Saudi consular bodies. Through our relationships with the prominent authorising bodies in London, we can get all your document legalisation and attestation needs fulfilled without any delay. Your private data and documents will be handled only by our screened and experienced visa specialists, so that their confidentiality is maintained at all times.
It is our responsibility to keep you informed regarding every stage of visa processing and collecting your passport(s) from the Embassy, once the visa is granted. Our consultants will ensure that this process is completed at the shortest possible time.
If you have further queries regarding the process, our consultants are available on the phone or via email. Get in touch with us at 02070961985 or send an email to help@saudiarabiavisa.co.uk. You can also fill in our contact form, and one of our consultants will get in touch with you promptly.
