Jeddah: The General Directorate of Passports (Jawazat) has announced that the visas of children under the age of 18 who are on visitor visas in Saudi Arabia can be converted into permanent residence (resident) visas. Saudi regional newspaper ‘Uqas’ released the news about this. In order to change the visa in this way, the parents of the children must be permanent residents of Saudi Arabia. No further details have been released.
There is no requirement that the applicant’s residence permit (Iqama) be valid for renewal of a visitor visa. Family Visitor Visas are renewable for a maximum of six months. Javazat informed that late renewal of visitor visa will be penalized and penalty will be charged only after three days of visa expiry. The newspaper reported that Jawazat said that Jawazat does not have the authority to approve applications for visitor visas and issue visas, and should consult the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs for information on the matter.