Jawazat Lifts 3-Year Ban on Expats Who Failed to Return on Exit and Reentry Visa

Good news for expatriates working in Saudi Arabia! The General Directorate of Passports (Jawazat) has officially lifted the three-year ban previously imposed on workers who left the Kingdom on an exit and re-entry visa and failed to return before its expiry. The decision took effect on January 16, 2023, marking a significant change in Saudi labor and residency rules.

What Was the 3-Year Ban?

The 3-year ban was introduced to regulate labor contracts and protect employers from sudden losses. According to Decision No. 825 issued in 1395 AH (1975), expatriates who violated their contract by not returning on time faced a fine of SR 10,000 and were banned from re-entering Saudi Arabia for 3 years.

The ban officially began two months after the expiry of the exit and re-entry visa. Its purpose was to prevent workers from switching jobs or terminating contracts without properly informing their employers.

Why Was the Ban Enforced?

The Saudi authorities introduced the rule for several reasons:

Employer Protection – Employers faced financial losses when workers failed to return, as they had already paid for iqama renewal, work permits, and return tickets.
Contract Compliance – Many workers used exit and reentry visas as a way to terminate contracts improperly.
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Preventing Job-Switching – The ban discouraged expatriates from leaving and then attempting to re-enter Saudi Arabia under a different employer.

Jawazat has been lifted from January 16, 2023

Jawazat has now confirmed that this ban is no longer applicable. Starting from January 16, 2023, expatriates who left Saudi Arabia on an exit and re-entry visa and failed to return can re-enter the Kingdom without waiting for three years.

This means:

Expatriates can apply for new jobs in Saudi Arabia even if they previously overstayed abroad after their re-entry visa expired.
The restriction is no longer a barrier for returning workers.
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Employers still retain the right to issue visas for the same worker if both parties agree.

Exception to the Rule

It’s important to note that even when the ban was active, there was one exception:

The 3-year ban did not apply if the same employer issued the visa to the same employee again.

This condition remains valid and ensures flexibility for companies that still want their workers to return.

What This Means for Expats and Employers

For expatriates, this update opens up fresh opportunities to return to Saudi Arabia and continue working without the fear of a long-term ban. It also encourages fair employment practices and supports labor mobility in line with Saudi Vision 2030.

For employers, while the rule change may increase the chances of workers leaving unexpectedly, it also provides access to a larger labor pool and ensures that skilled professionals are not permanently blocked from re-entry.

Final Thoughts

The decision by Jawazat has lift the 3-year ban on expats who failed to return on their exit and re-entry visas is a welcome step that reflects Saudi Arabia’s evolving labor and residency policies. It balances the protection of employers with the rights of workers, while also aligning with the Kingdom’s vision to attract global talent.

Expats who previously faced restrictions can now look forward to new opportunities in the Kingdom starting from January 16, 2023.

Source: Arab News

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