New Directives from the Genera...

The General Directorate of Passports has issued a resolution allowing workers who obtained a work visa and left the country with an exit and re-entry visa, but failed to return within the specified period of three years, to enter all departments and ports. Additionally, it calls for the cancellation of the work ban decision that came into effect on Tuesday.

The ban decision, previously announced by the General Directorate of Passports, was prompted by demands from business owners during that period. They called for the enforcement of the Cabinet's decision regarding not allowing the return of workers who did not comply with the designated timeframe. This was due to the financial burdens associated with renewing residence permits, work licenses, and tickets granted to the workforce. These workers had obtained exit and re-entry visas based on having valid employment contracts, either initially or renewed with the employers themselves. The failure to return implies their role in terminating those contracts, leading to additional costs due to their failure to return to work on time. Moreover, such actions constitute a violation by the workers for unjustifiably terminating their employment contracts.

Conditions for Exit and Re-entry Visa:

- Payment of all traffic violations by the worker.

- No violation regarding the failure to cancel a previously issued and unused visa.

- The absence of a valid visa for the worker.

- The individual for whom the visa is issued must be inside the Kingdom's territory.

- The validity of the worker's passport must be 90 days or more.

- The presence of the individual's fingerprint for visa issuance.

- The primary visa holder must travel with all dependents.

This decision aligns with the government's efforts to enhance immigration and labor procedures, ensuring fair and effective treatment of the workforce. Adhering to the specified conditions is a crucial step to avoid potential violations and penalties, contributing to a balance between workers' rights and labor market requirements.