Family visit visa holders in Saudi Arabia are again allowed to extend their stays, now that visa restrictions for them have been lifted. Saudi consular posts are also no longer limiting the number of new family, commercial, and work visit visas they will issue.

Additionally, Saudi Arabia's Interior Ministry's online services portal, ‘Absher' now allows dependents of foreign national employees to extend their visit visas electronically.

In order to use the service, individuals are required to register with 'Absher' at www.moi.gov.sa and conduct biometrics at select centres located at various locations, including shopping malls. Dependents are also required to:

• be physically present in Saudi Arabia;

• possess a valid passport;

• not be subject to any fines or traffic violations; and