Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has thanked Saudi Arabia for its announcement to extend expatriate visas and residency permits (Iqama) for another three months free of charge due to coronavirus pandemic.
“This decision will benefit our citizens. I must thank them (Saudi Arabia authority) for that,” he told Bangladesh Post on Monday in an immediate reaction following the Kingdom’s decision.
The foreign minister said they had been requesting the Kingdom to take such a decision since Bangladeshis in Saudi Arabia were in anxiety during this pandemic due to the Iqama and visa issues.
“So, this is also a diplomatic achievement of us,” he said.
The Saudi interior ministry said the decision was aimed at supporting the Kingdom's efforts in mitigating the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on individuals, businesses, the private sector and investors, and on economic activities. Saudi Arabia is the largest labor market for Bangladeshi migrant workers, with over 1.5 million employed in the Kingdom. Bangladesh sent around 400,000 workers to the Kingdom last year, according to data from the Bureau of Manpower Employment and Training.
According to the official Saudi Press Agency, the extension of the validity on the following visas has been approved
- The validity of final exit visas for expatriates has been extended free of charge.
- The validity of expired Residence Permit (Iqama) for expatriates who are outside the Kingdom on an exit and return visa, which
expired during the period of which entry and exit were suspended due to the Covid-19 pandemic has been extended for a period of three months free of charge.
- The validity of unused exit and return visas for expatriates that expired during the period of travel suspension has been
extended for a period of three months free of charge.
- Exit and return visas for all expatriates who are outside the Kingdom, which expired during the coronavirus travel ban, have
been extended for a period of 3 months free of charge.
- Residence permits (Iqama) for expatriates who are inside Saudi Arabia and had arrived on a visit visa that expired during the
travel ban period, have been extended for a period of 3 months free of charge.
The Press Agency citing an interior ministry source said that these exceptions are “subject to continuous follow-up and change according to need”.
On Thursday, Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz ordered the extension of a number of government initiatives to mitigate the effects of the coronavirus pandemic on economic activities and the private sector.
