Saudi Arabia has lifted a three-year ban issued on foreign workers who did not return to the country within their visa expiry dates.
The ban which was lifted on Wednesday, had barred all foreign nationals working in the country from entering the Kingdom for three years.
According to a local publication, Okaz, the General Directorate of Passports (Jawazat) instructed all departments and land, sea and air ports to allow the entry of the affected expatriates.
Despite the lifting of the ban, the workers will be required to obtain an exit/re-entry visa again after fulfilling the government’s requirements.
Among the requirements include payment of all fines linked to the worker’s traffic violations, having a passport valid for at least 90 days, and the presence in the kingdom of the person to whom the visa will be issued.
In Saudi Arabia, the re-entry and exit visa is issued to monitor foreign workers in the Kingdom. Saudi Arabia only permits work visa holders to stay for the duration of their contract.
To leave, they must apply for an exit visa upon termination or the end of the agreement.
Saudi Arabia issued the ban on the expatriates after businessmen within the country complained about renewing permits and tickets for non-compliant employees.
Under the Saudi labour system, the employer bears fees for the foreign worker’s recruitment, residency, labour licence, its renewal as well as fees for professional change, and exit/re-entry.
Other costs include those incurred by the employee while returning to the home country upon the end of the contractual relations.
Currently, more than 200,000 Kenyans work in Saudi Arabia with the number expected to soar as the government continues to forge alliances with the Kingdom.
Recently, the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection announced contracts for female health workers in Saudi Arabia.
The medical practitioner will earn a minimum monthly salary of between Ksh92,000 and Ksh147,000 depending on their academic levels for 8-hour shifts.
