Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — Expat workers do not have to pay the fee for dependents who are in the Kingdom on a visit visa, the Department of Passports (Jawazat) has clarified in a statement.

“No extra fees beyond the SR100 for the monthly extension of the visit visa will be charged,” the Jawazat said, setting to rest rumors that expats will have to pay the fee for dependents even on visit visas at the time of visa extension.

The reality, however, is different.

A number of parents were asked to pay more than SR100 for a visit visa extension.

Assistant director general of the Jawazat for IT affairs Khaled Al-Saikhan told Makkah Arabic daily on Tuesday that these people should ask their banks to refund the extra money they paid for the visit visa extension.

Saikhan said the fees for dependents are paid annually in advance at the time of the issuance or renewal of iqamas (residence permits), issuance of exit-reentry visas or when the final exit visa is required.

“There are no dependents’ fees on the issuance or extension of a family visit visa. Anyone who is asked to do so should resort to the concerned bank,” he said.