The Saudi Arabian authorities have started automatically extending the validity of residency permits (Iqama) and exit and re-entry visas without charges until March 31, 2022, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The extension, issued by the Minister of Finance, is part of the Kingdom’s efforts to address the repercussions of the Covid-19 pandemic.

It will be carried automatically in collaboration with the National Information Centre, without the need to visit the passports directorate or the Kingdom’s missions abroad. The extension can be availed by visitors and employees from 17 countries including Pakistan.

The validity of residency and exit re-entry return visas will be extended for residents who are outside the Kingdom in countries from which travel was suspended due to a Covid-19 outbreak until March 31, except for those who have already received one dose of the vaccine inside the Kingdom before they departed.

The validity of visit visas will also be extended until March 31 by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for visitors who are outside the Kingdom in countries from which entry has been suspended due to the virus.