Saudi Arabia extends visas for residents stuck abroad to July 31

Passport authorities will work with the National Information Centre to update visas electronically

A passenger walks past an image of the late King Abdulaziz Al Saud at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, after authorities lifted a ban on international travel. AP Photo

Saudi passenger Hanan Yousef, 35, checks in ahead of a long-awaited trip to Egypt after the travel ban, imposed last year to contain coronavirus infections, was finally lifted in the kingdom. AP Photo

Saudi citizens who have received both doses of the vaccine, or one dose at least 14 days before the date of departure, as well as those who have recovered from Covid-19 in the past six months, can fly. AP Photo

Sultan Saeed Al-Shahrani shows his vaccination certificate on his mobile phone at a checkpoint at King Abdulaziz International Airport, Saudi Arabia. AP Photo

Saudis under 18 are allowed to travel, although travellers to Bahrain must be over 18, according to an update reported by the official Saudi Press Agency. AP Photo

Some 385 international flights were scheduled to depart from nine airports across the kingdom on Monday, with social-distancing measures actively in place. AFP

For many, the end of the travel ban means they can visit family living abroad for the first time in more than a year. AFP

Saudi Arabia will extend visas for residents stranded outside the kingdom until July 31 free of charge, on King Salman’s orders.

The decision applies to expatriates from countries where entry to the kingdom is currently banned, including the UAE, the US, Pakistan, India and 16 other countries.

The General Directorate of Passports was also asked to extend visit visas and exit and re-entry visas free of charge until the end of July.

In May, King Salman ordered the extension of visit, exit and return visas’ validity without fees until June.

Authorities say the latest decision will serve to relieve the burden of Covid-19.

“This comes in continuation of efforts of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's government to deal with the effects and repercussions of Covid-19 pandemic,” Saudi Press Agency reported, adding that it helps keep precautionary and preventive measures in place that “guarantee the safety of citizens and residents and contribute to mitigating financial and economic impacts.”

Passport authorities said the extension to the visas, called Iqama, will be carried out in co-operation with the National Information Centre, which will be done electronically, without the need for residents to visit the passport department.