Need to Stay Longer in KSA in an Emergency? Here’s What to Do
Are you experiencing some unexpected situation during your stay in Saudi Arabia? Will this require you to stay in the country beyond your visa validity? Then you have to get a Saudi visa extension for your stay.
Unexpected situations like medical emergencies, family matters, work-related issues, and others arise at any time. However, note that all visas do not qualify for this facility. So, you must understand all sides of this before your trip. This way you become more capable of dealing with an emergency in case something happens
Checking Your Current Visa Status & Eligibility
Considering an extension of your visa or filling out a new KSA online visa application involves understanding a few things. This is why it is important to understand the basics before proceeding with the process.
Understanding Your Visa Type
At a glance, all visas might appear the same. All of them can appear like a travel permit that grants your entry into the country. However, the more you know about these, the more you will understand that all visas are different from one another.
Tourist Visa
A Saudi tourist visa is applied by people who plan to explore the city as a traveller. Now, you might face a situation when you find yourself compelled to stay beyond your visa limit. For instance, your flight might get cancelled or you might have had an unfortunate accident that requires hospitalization. However, not all of the applicants might be allowed to get a Saudi visa extension. This facility is only available on single-entry visas applied through the embassy. An eVisa or visa on arrival cannot be extended.
So, you will be required to leave the country before your visa's expiry date and get a new one to re-enter the country. During this time, you will be required to check the visa status to understand when you can enter the country again. Most important of all, you will be required to contact the embassy or consulate right away to make them aware of the situation that you are in.
Business Visa
A business visa is applied by people who are coming to the country to start their business, attend a conference, or a seminar. You can only get an extension on a single-entry business visa with a 90 day validity.. However, a visa that stays valid for 6 months or a year, does not qualify for an extension.
Work Visa & Residency Permit (Iqama)
A Saudi work visa & Iqama are applied by foreign nationalities who visit Saudi solely for employment. This visa can be extended, and you will be able to get a Saudi visa extension for the same as the original period of the visa. However, you will definitely have to meet all requirements set by the authority and provide documents that further prove your situation.
Medical Visa
This type of visa is applied by people who are visiting the country to get effective treatment for their health problems. This visa is extendable given that the applicant meets all the requirements. It is necessary to provide all the proofs that further prove the fact that the applicant will have to stay in the country longer than the decided period. On top of that, the FRRO should also be notified by the hospital or clinic where the applicant is getting treated.
Verifying Visa Validity & Expiry Date
All visa applicants need to check the visa validity when they apply for their travel permit. This will tell you how long you will be able to stay in the country. This is more than just about checking the general validity of the visa. Rather, you will also have to check the maximum stay period that the visa allows.
Consequences of overstaying without an extension
Overstaying your visa can result in some serious consequences. You will have to pay hefty fines and penalties of around SR. 15,000 for overstaying, and the amount will be decided based on the number of days overstayed. On top of that, you might also have to face possible travel bans for future entry into Saudi Arabia or even jailed for 3 months.
The penalty amount and incarceration period depends on the severity of the situation. One might have to face both, in worse cases. One good way of dealing with situations of this kind is to promptly contact the embassy or consulate and seek some legal counsel. Other than that, you will also have to arrange all your documents and cooperate with the authorities throughout to ensure the situation is not stretched too far.
How to Apply for a Visa Extension in Saudi Arabia
Applying for a visa extension involves understanding a few things. Only then will you be capable of effectively applying for an extension.
Steps of applying for a visa extension
An extension application includes a few things. Some of these steps are:
- Log into the Muqeem or Absher online portal before the visa expires.
- Select the correct type of visa extension.
- Apply for the extension and provide all the necessary documents for the process.
- Pay the fee for the visa through your debit or credit card.
- Submit your application and wait for the application to be accepted.
The process is the same if you apply through the Embassy/Consulate. You will have to physically visit the place and carry out the steps.
[Note: This visa extension should be applied at least 14 days before the visa expires.]
What to do if an extension is not applicable?
As discussed previously, all Saudi visas do not qualify for an extension. So, in situations like this you must apply for a new visa. But first, exit the country before the visa validity ends. Next, you will have to fill out the KSA online visa application form for the visa that matches your visit purpose. The steps of that are known to all, but to sum it up in a few words, the steps are listed below:
- Visit the online portal for your visa application.
- Complete the visa application form with all details.
- Add scanned copies of the necessary documents like a valid passport (one that has at least 2 blank pages and 6 months validity beyond your stay), recent passport-sized photograph, bank statements, flight tickets, additional documents related to the travel purpose, and other things required by the authority.
- Pay the fee with your credit/debit card.
- Submit your application.
- Wait to be approved.
Tips and Considerations to Remember During Emergency Situations & Getting Extensions
Dealing with an emergency and going through the process of Saudi visa extension at the same time can be a little stressful. So, it is important to remember a few things during this time:
Contact the Embassy: Contact your embassy right away for emergency assistance during a flight cancellation or travel restrictions. You can also seek help from your country’s embassy or consulate if you get into any legal or personal emergency. Contact the Saudi authorities if necessary.
Medical Emergencies: Notify the Ministry of Interior (MOI) for urgent extensions regarding medical emergencies. You will also have to arrange the required hospital documentation for extension approval.
Emergency Contacts: Always keep emergency contacts handy like that of Saudi’s emergency services (112), embassies, and even airlines.
Backup Plan: Have a contingency plan for unforeseen delays. For instance, you should keep extra funds for emergencies and even get travel insurance that covers extended stays.
Be respectful: Respect the local laws and cultural norms, and most importantly, respect the authority. You should not behave in a way that you are disrespecting the government and its people.
Feeling confident to deal with a Saudi visa extension?
Applying for a Saudi visa extension is necessary when your visit to the country gets extended due to some uncertainties. Even though the process might seem tricky at first, it can be simplified by knowing the basics of the process. Other than that, it will also help you recognize the situation when you will not be capable of applying for an extension and have to get a new visa instead.
For any other confusions or queries related to the process, you can easily contact the Helpdesk to get effective assistance.
Check your eligibility for Online Saudi Visa and apply for Online Saudi Visa 72 hours in advance of your flight. Italian citizens, Turkish citizens, French citizens and Tajikistan Citizens can apply online for Online Saudi Visa.