Saudi Arabia eases Iqama renewal for families abroad

RIYADH: The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has introduced a new residency policy that simplifies the renewal process for families abroad.

To streamline the residency process for expatriates, the General Directorate of Passports in KSA announced a new policy that allows residents to renew their Iqama (residency permit) even if some of their dependents or partners are currently outside the country.

The head of household must remain in Saudi Arabia to renew the Iqama. Prior to this update, expatriates faced a difficult process to renew the Iqama if a family member was abroad, as all dependents had to be physically present in the country, which led to unwanted delays and legal complications.

The new update now provides a simple solution to the problem, allowing families to maintain their legal status without any obstacles.

The Kingdom continues to simplify the residency process for foreign nationals, providing relief to those who have had difficulty renewing their permits due to the absence of family members.

In addition to the residency renewal policy, the Directorate also introduced digital solutions for exit and re-entry visas. Family members abroad can now extend their visas electronically through the SADAD system and the Absher platform, eliminating the need to visit passport offices in person.