RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s passport authority has begun to extend the validity of residency permits for expatriates who are outside the Kingdom, as well as exit and re-entry visas for visitors, Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.
The General Directorate of Passports said the steps were being taken automatically without fees or financial payments until June 2.
The extension will apply to expats and visitors who are outside the Kingdom in countries were travel has been suspended due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
The extension, issued by Minister of Finance Mohammed Al-Jadaan, comes within the framework of the continuous efforts taken by the Saudi government to deal with the effects and consequences of the global coronavirus pandemic, and part of the precautionary measures that ensure the safety of citizens and residents and contributes to mitigating the economic and financial impacts.
The authority confirmed that the extension will be done automatically in cooperation with the National Information Center without the need to follow up with the Passports Department’s headquarters.
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