By Ibrahim Alawi

Okaz/Saudi Gazette

JEDDAH — The General Directorate of Passports (Jawazat) has denied rumors being circulated that expatriates who leave the Kingdom on final exit visa will be barred from returning to the Kingdom for three years.

“Anyone who has left on a final exit visa on a regular basis, without any remarks against him, has the right to return on a new visa,” the directorate said in a statement.

The Jawazat explained that the fine for the delay in the renewal of residency permit (iqama) would be imposed three days after the expiry date.

“The fine will be SR500 for the delay in renewal for the first time. In the second time, the fine will be SR1,000 and if there is a delay in renewal in the third time, the penalty will be deportation.

The Jawazat reaffirmed that the system allows the renewal of the residency permit of expatriates, only if the head of the family is inside the Kingdom, no matter if his family members are outside the Kingdom.