Saudi Arabia has announced that the validity of residency permit (iqama) and exit and re-entry visa for expatriates, who are stranded in India and other countries due to Covid-19 travel restrictions, would be extended free of charge.
The validity which was earlier extended till November 30 has now been extended until January 31, 2022. The decision comes after the directives of King Salman.
The extension will not be applicable to those expatriates who are fully vaccinated within the Kingdom before their departure on exit and re-entry visas.
Saudi's travel advisory
The Saudi Arabian Government has decided to allow those who have gone abroad after taking at least one dose of vaccine from the Kingdom to come back to the country within December 4.
But once returned, they will have to undergo quarantine for three days. Those who have taken two doses of vaccine from Saudi Arabia do not have to be quarantined.
Since there was a ban on flight service from African countries to Saudi Arabia, African travellers will have to reside 14 days in a less infected country, which comes under green category country and get a RT-PCR negative certificate before reaching Saudi Arabia. Once reaching Saudi Arabia, they will have to undergo five days' general quarantine.
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia has announced that it will allow direct entry to visitors from six countries, including India, from December 1.
