Last month, Saudi authorities extended validity of residency permits and visas of expatriates who are stuck abroad due to travel restrictions until the end of August
The government of Saudi Arabia recently started extending automatically the validity of residence permits, well-known as Iqama, for expatriates stranded outside the Kingdom in countries from which entry is suspended due to the Covid-19 crisis.
The extension — now valid until September 30 — is also being applied to visit visas as well as exit and re-entry visas and will be done at no extra cost, according to the Khaleej Times.
The extension can be conducted via the link: enjazit.com.sa/enjaz/extendex, the Gulf News reports citing the Saudi Foreign Ministry.
“This decision is part of the kingdom’s efforts to mitigate impacts of precautionary measures against Covid-19,” the ministry said in a statement.
Last month, Saudi authorities extended the validity of residency permits and visas of expatriates who are stuck abroad due to travel restrictions until the end of August.
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Starting from July 4, Saudi Arabia suspended flights with the UAE, Vietnam, and Ethiopia, citing concerns about Covid-19.
In February, the kingdom banned flights with 20 countries to limit Covid transmission.
The travel ban is now in place with Argentina, Afghanistan, Brazil, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Lebanon, Pakistan, Turkey, South Africa, the UAE and Vietnam.
This move is in keeping with the Saudi authorities’ continuing efforts to deal with the repercussions of the pandemic.
It also falls within precautionary and preventive measures that guarantee the safety of citizens and residents and contribute to mitigating financial and economic impacts.
The General Directorate of Passports indicated that the extension will be carried out electronically in cooperation with the National Information Centre without the need to visit the departments of passports.
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