Saudi Arabia : Demystifying its Three-Year Ban Policy

Saudi Arabia: In a heart-wrenching turn of events, Mohammed Zeeshan, a 28-year-old from Hyderabad, embarked on a journey to Riyadh, leaving behind his wife and family at Hyderabad airport. Friends and relatives gathered eagerly at King Khalid International Airport’s Terminal 2, awaiting his arrival in the early morning hours.

As the minutes turned into hours, anxiety escalated as Zeeshan remained unaccounted for. His phone was unreachable, plunging his family and friends into a state of panic. Despite their best efforts, they were unable to obtain any information regarding his whereabouts.

Saudi Arabia Re-Entry Rules Unveiled

The following day brought clarity to the situation: Zeeshan had indeed arrived in Riyadh but was denied entry into the Kingdom, ultimately being sent back to Hyderabad. To his fortune, he was repatriated directly to Hyderabad. However, several other passengers on the same flight, former residents of Saudi Arabia, faced a similar fate.

Zeeshan’s case underscores the pressing need for former residents of Saudi Arabia, especially those who left abruptly during the Covid-19 pandemic, to comprehend the re-entry procedures into this oil-rich Kingdom.

The Three-Year Re-Entry Visa Rule

During the Covid-19 pandemic, thousands of Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) returned to India on exit re-entry visas and remained away for nearly three years. While many tried to settle in India, their efforts often failed, compelling them to contemplate a second stint in Saudi Arabia.

According to Saudi laws, expats who visit their home countries on exit re-entry visas and fail to return before their visas expire will face a three-year ban on entering the Kingdom.

All these returning Indians believed they could re-enter Saudi Arabia once the three-year interval had elapsed, especially with the endorsement of new visas. However, it’s vital to note that the three-year period is not calculated from the date of departure, as many mistakenly assume. Instead, it is three years from the expiration of the exit and re-entry visa.

Misconceptions and Bans

There exists a critical distinction between the date of departure and the expiration date of the exit and re-entry visa, a fact that some returning Indians overlook. Furthermore, some individuals returning through deportation processes were banned from re-entering the Kingdom.

For instance, a young woman traveling on a visiting visa to join her husband was denied entry due to overstaying during her previous visit. Similarly, a Telangana pilgrim arriving on a Hajj visa faced a ban due to previous circumstances.

With the introduction of biometric data for visa endorsements, Saudi Arabia’s entry rules can be more effectively enforced. This ensures that ineligible travelers are identified and prevented from embarking on their journeys from India itself.

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