|
|
Post by Hadia on Aug 20, 2013 9:26:16 GMT
Sharing info: We went to renew our family's iqamas and apply for the multiple exit/re-entry visas at Al Midra today. The agent said it will take about 10 working days, like usual, so the schedule is all good. I was disappointed to learn, however, that the visas are now only being issued for six months at a time, not even a year. Also, she said the fee would be the same as it was for the 1-yr.
I can see how this could prove to be challenging for people who travel a lot and for boarding school kids.
The agent told me this change was insuted one week ago.
|
|
|
|
Post by gareth0127 on Aug 20, 2013 13:46:24 GMT
I was told this today as well. Very frustrating!
|
|
|
|
Post by vpainter on Aug 20, 2013 15:29:42 GMT
This is the third time in 12 years our visas have only been good for 6 months. No telling why the government decides this, could be a political move or a need for money or a way to keep some of the money sent out of the kingdom each month. Each time it has lasted a little while and then changed once again.
|
|
|
|
Post by Hadia on Aug 21, 2013 5:38:53 GMT
Can someone please explain the elusive 5-yr multiple exit/re-entry visa? In the two years we've been in DH, we've heard numerous veteran expats (read: those who have been here more than 10 years) refer to this visa. However. it has never been presented as an option for us (we are on US payroll). The iqamas have to be renewed annually, and until just now, the max validity of the multiple visa had been one year. Now it's down to only six months.
Were previously arrived expats grandfathered in with longer iqama and visa validity terms than newer hires? Does it have to do with passport origin or level of professional employment? Does the 5-yr visa even exist anymore, or is the notion of it perpetuated by those who hold it but haven't had to go in for renewal lately and haven't encountered changes themselves yet? The gov't web sites content is hard to find. If someone has current detail and a link to authoritative word, please do share. Thanks.
|
|
derekg
Senior Member
Posts: 107
|
Post by derekg on Aug 21, 2013 7:20:03 GMT
The five year multiple entry visa is for US residents only (i.e.g not iqama holders). This was to allow Saudi visitors, students in particular, to be able to stay long enough to complete their degree on a single visa. This would apply to a US citizen's spouse who is also a US citizen; it is not available to any other nationalities.
|
|
|
|
Post by Hadia on Aug 21, 2013 7:54:38 GMT
So a typical US family here, sponsored by the husband, who have family members (spouse, kids in school at Aramco, and kids at boarding school) all with iqamas, don't qualify for a 5-yr visa?
|
|
derekg
Senior Member
Posts: 107
|
Post by derekg on Aug 21, 2013 18:26:48 GMT
If you have an iqama, you are deemed a resident and need to get your multiple visa renewed. If you are not a resident (i.e. no iqama) and a US Citizen you can get the 5-year multiple entry visa. This would generally apply to a spouse or children of a bachelor status employee. All others are subject to the normal visa process; if you are a resident, then the usual visa issues remain.
|
|
|
|
Post by Hadia on Aug 21, 2013 20:23:05 GMT
Thank you, Derek. This is helpful.
|
|
|
|
Post by UmmRiyam on Aug 22, 2013 8:31:33 GMT
yes, that 5 year visa is a family visit visa.
As for the exit/re-entry visa, I am married to a Saudi, and I have only been able to get 6 month visas since I moved to Saudi. They told my husband only the foreigners could get the longer ones. We were able to get an exception last time because I traveled out of Saudi to deliver our third daughter, and I was gone for just over 6 months by the hijri calendar, which is what the gov't uses. My husband had to talk to the manager at the passport office to get it done. They also had a problem because my iqama was due to expire about a week after I was scheduled to return, but we were able to get everything we needed.
so, in conclusion, if you really need a longer visa, you might be able to go to the passport office (no women, only men) and ask for a longer visa. It may or may not work.
|
|
|
|
Post by vpainter on Aug 23, 2013 5:26:09 GMT
The passport office in DHA, men or women can go to it. Which passport office are you talking about?
|
|
|
|
Post by UmmRiyam on Aug 25, 2013 14:45:37 GMT
The passport office in Dammam. Since my husband is Saudi, he cannot use the Aramco passport office. He has to do everything himself, even applying for family visit visas for my parents...aramco won't help with that either.
|
|
|
|
Post by Dahailang on Sept 5, 2013 12:47:46 GMT
It looks like things are getting tougher for expats ... with Igama valid for 1 year and visa good for 6 months; and there has to be an overlap between your Igama and visa, so you may not even get a 6 month visa. This is very frustrating...
|
|
|
|
Post by vpainter on Sept 5, 2013 15:27:17 GMT
In our time here,this is the third time these 6 months visas have been what you could get when renewing or coming in new. Just have patience, this too will probably pass in time.
|
|
|
|
Post by halfwaythere on Sept 17, 2013 12:51:27 GMT
Just got email from HR that one year multiple entry/exit visas have been reinstated with no paper visas.
|
|
|
|
Post by GroveWanderer on Sept 19, 2013 11:45:14 GMT
Yes, but even though the Saudi immigration authorities might not need to see the paper visa, it should be borne in mind that, as mentioned in the annoucement:
|
|
