Inquiring about Visit or Exit and Return Visa in Saudi Arabia: All Methods and Steps
Many residents and visitors need to know what has happened to their visa application. Has it been approved? Has it been issued? Has it expired? In this article, we will show you all the methods to inquire about visas in Saudi Arabia, whether it is a visit visa, exit and return visa, or Umrah visa.
Official Platforms for Visa Inquiries
The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs has provided more than one electronic platform so you can easily inquire about any visa without having to visit government departments.
1. Visa Platform (Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
The electronic visa platform visa.mofa.gov.sa is the main platform for inquiring about all types of visas. The platform provides services to inquire about submitted applications, and you can search by:
- Application number: The number issued to you when submitting the visa application
- Visa document number: The number specific to the visa document after approval
- Visa application number: The number registered in the visa system
- Registry number: The establishment or sponsor’s registry number
2. KSAVisa Platform
The new platform ksavisa.sa launched by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as a development in visa services. The platform covers services for visitors, citizens, residents, and the business sector, and through it you can submit new applications or inquire about existing ones.
3. Absher Platform (Individuals)
If you are a resident inside Saudi Arabia, you can inquire about your visas through Absher Individuals (absher.sa). The inquiry services include:
- Inquiring about exit and return visas and their validity
- Inquiring about final exit visas
- Inquiring about visit visas registered on your passport
- Inquiring about the validity of residency linked to visas
4. Sahl Platform
The Sahl (sahl.sa) platform, affiliated with the Ministry of Interior, provides the service of inquiring about electronic visit visas and work visas, especially for companies and recruitment offices.
Step-by-Step Visa Inquiry Steps
Via the Visa Platform (MOFA):
- Go to the website visa.mofa.gov.sa
- Select the “Inquiry” tab in the main menu
- Choose the appropriate search method (application number, visa document number, visa application number)
- Enter your registry number (ID number for citizens or residency number for residents)
- Enter the image code (verification code)
- Click “Inquiry” and the visa details will appear
Via Absher Individuals:
- Log in to absher.sa
- Select “My Services” then “Inquiries”
- Choose “Visa Inquiry”
- Enter your residency number or passport number depending on the required service
- The visa status and details will appear
Types of Visas You Can Inquire About
- Visit Visa: Personal, family, or tourist — inquire about the application and approval status
- Exit and Return Visa: Validity of the visa, expiration date, and remaining number of trips
- Final Exit Visa: Inquire about its issuance and validity
- Work Visa and Seasonal Visas: For workers in the private sector
- Umrah Visa: Permit status and arrival/departure dates
Important Information for Inquiries
To inquire about any visa, you usually need:
- Passport number: The passport linked to the visa
- Application number: The number you receive when submitting the application
- Nationality: The nationality of the visa holder
- Date of birth: To match the information
If you have lost your application number, you can contact your sponsor or the service submission office.
Who helped you with the application.
What does each visa status mean?
- Under process: The application is under review, and the process is still ongoing
- Approved: The visa has been approved and can be issued
- Issued: The visa has been issued and is ready for use
- Cancelled: The visa was cancelled before being used
- Expired: The visa has expired
- Used: The visa has been used for travel or entry
Mobile Inquiry (Applications)
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Interior have provided mobile applications to make inquiries easier:
- Absher app: Available on iOS and Android, includes all Absher mobile services
- Tawakkalna app: Serves visitors and residents in inquiring about permits and visas related to health status
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How long does it take to inquire about a visit visa?
A: The inquiry itself is instant — the result appears immediately after entering the data. However, the visa approval itself may take from 24 hours to 5 business days depending on the type of visa.
Q: Can I inquire about a visa for someone else?
A: If you are the sponsor or employer who submitted the visa application, you can use your application number or visa document number to inquire about it. If you are not related to the application, it is best to contact the applicant.
Q: I lost my application number. How can I inquire?
A: You can contact the sponsor, the service submission office, or the entity that submitted the visa application to retrieve your application number from their system. Some services allow searching by passport number only.
Q: Is the visa inquiry free?
A: Yes, all visa inquiry services on official platforms are completely free.
Q: My visit visa expired, and I am inside Saudi Arabia. What should I do?
A: Go to Passports or extend the visa via Absher (if extendable), and pay the fines for overstaying based on the duration.
Q: How do I know if the visa is original and authenticated?
A: Inquiring through official platforms guarantees the authenticity of the visa. Any visa whose data appears through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs platform or Absher is considered an official and approved visa.
Final Word
Inquiring about visas in Saudi Arabia has become easier than before thanks to electronic platforms. Instead of going to passport offices and waiting, you can inquire from your home or mobile in minutes. The most important thing is to keep your application number and follow up through official platforms to ensure accurate and up-to-date information.
