RIYADH – Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that the validity of visit visas of those people from countries facing travel ban will be extended until Sept. 30. The extension of visa will be made automatically without charging any fees, the ministry said in a statement on its Twitter account. The extension of the visa can be done through the following link: https://enjazit.com.sa/enjaz/extendexpiredvisa The ministry clarified that the beneficiaries of this will be holders of visit visas of which the validity had been expired during the period of suspension of direct entry to Saudi Arabia from these countries following the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic. According to the statement, this move is part of the continuous efforts undertaken by the Saudi government in tackling the effects and consequences of COVID-19, as well as in mitigating its economic and financial effects. Last month, the General Directorate of Passports (Jawazat) had started extending the validity of iqama (residency permit) and exit and re-entry visas of expatriates, who are outside the Kingdom, as well as the validity of visit visas automatically without fees until Aug. 31. This extension, which is in implementation of the directives of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman, was applicable only to expatriates and foreigners from countries facing travel ban at present. At that time, Jawazat had clarified that the extension is not applicable to holders of multiple entry visit visas. People of these countries, who are holding labor and visit visas, will not be allowed to enter the Kingdom unless they spend two weeks in a third country after their departure from these countries. Currently, the countries facing the travel ban are India, Pakistan, Indonesia, Egypt, Turkey, Argentina, Brazil, South Africa, United Arab Emirates, Ethiopia, Vietnam, Afghanistan and Lebanon.
