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nomad soul · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world

No extension of visit visas from July 1, says Jawazat
By Ramzi Abdul Jabbar, Okaz/Saudi Gazette | May 14, 2014
Source: http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index.cfm?method=home.regcon&contentid=20140515205211

JEDDAH – The Directorate General of Passports (Jawazat) will no longer extend visit visas for expatriates, except Syrians, starting early July. Spokesman Lt. Col. Ahmed Al-Lihaidan told Okaz/Saudi Gazette that the Jawazat will not extend any visit visa after July 1 to any expatriate except Syrian nationals who are staying in the Kingdom on visit visas. He said the decision was taken to provide other expatriates wishing to visit the Kingdom a chance to come on visit visas.

The spokesman asked all expatriates who are currently staying in the Kingdom on visit visas to depart before the expiry of their visit visas otherwise they will face punishment according to the rules.

(End of article)

rollingk · Joined: 23 Jul 2006 Posts: 212

sicklyman · Joined: 02 Feb 2013 Posts: 930

well on the surface it seems to indicate that there are only a certain quota of visit visas that can be issued and they want to allow others to come to visit family here... but deep, deep down there has to be something else motivating this.

nomad soul · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world

It would seem the article is only referring to visit visas for families, but it's hard to tell given the following: "The Jawazat will not extend any visit visa after July 1 to any expatriate." That could mean the various types of visas labeled as a "visit" (e.g., family visit visa, government visit visa, business/work visit visa...).

sicklyman · Joined: 02 Feb 2013 Posts: 930

yeah... makes me doubly glad wifey will be here on a residence visa soon and no longer dependent on visit visas. Very Happy

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Pilgrims are only one category. Dependants often visit. This is especially common for dependant children at school or college outside KSA. Also for wives visiting.

Rostom · Posted: Fri May 16, 2014 9:22 pm Post subject:

Ramadhan is on 28/29th June, and the majority of Muslim expats who are in a family visit during the period before the month of Ramadhan want/plan to renew their visa for Omrah - their number is increasing each year!
So, the Magic Kingdom issued this new law to stop the Muslim expat to renew their visit visa, and give the opportunity to new visitors to do their Omrah during Ramadhan.