Final Exit Visa Guidelines for OFWs in Saudi Arabia
Leaving the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is not that easy, just like entering it. For OFWs working in Saudi Arabia, only one thing is certain when you are to leave the kingdom – it is your final exit.
Admit it or not, OFWs main reason for going to Saudi Arabia is to make money. And to avoid inconvenience when OFWs are already in the airport and ready to board that airplane bound to the home country, expats should follow these guidelines before finally leaving Saudi.
- OFWs should give 30-days written notice to the employer. Whether you are to leave with the intent of breaking your contract, or just don’t like to renew it, OFWs should still give the employer a 30-day written notice. This is for OFWs to benefit from the End of Service gratituity. Try not to argue with your employer anymore, whatever your resentment may be.
- OFWs should end their house contract with the owner. OFWs should also give a written notice to their house owner or landlord at least a month before the departure date from Saudi. Settle any unpaid rent to clear your housing contract. Most expats transfer their occupancy of a house to fellow expats to be able to get back a proportion of any advanced rent payment that had been made.
- OFWs should surrender landline/DSL connection from STC. For expats who have landline and/or dsl connection from STC, it is advisable to apply for its disconnection at least two weeks before your departure. Settle all pending bills with STC and be sure to verify that your line is disconnected before leaving their office.
- OFWs should pay any pending traffic fines. Payments for violations like traffic violations should also be settled prior to the OFWs departure date. Cases like these may hinder in granting you your final exit visa.
- OFWs should pay their electricity bills and other utility bills. It is a must for any expat to pay for their remaining utility bill balances to avoid any conflict upon leaving Saudi. Unsettled accounts like this may result to a criminal charge against an OFW, which could lead to court cases.
- OFWs should settle all other dues, even to a person, and surrender credit cards. If in any case an OFW owes money to someone, or had loan money, clearing it before the departure date is the most appropriate action to make. It is not only ethically wrong to have pending dues to anyone, but it can even give you problems in the airport.
- OFWs should close their bank accounts. But before closing your bank account, OFWs should withdraw first all their money at least three weeks before your departure. If you are to send them home to your family through remittance center, you should do send it rightaway. Be sure that your family had received the money before you leave Saudi, so that you can still fix any problem that may arise. Request for a statement from the bank that your account is closed and that you are clear of any dues.
- OFWs should request for an introduction letter from your employer with your salary details. OFWs should do this request before you submit your formal letter of resignation because some employer will not give it if you have already submitted your resignation letter.
- 9. OFWs should know how to handle their End of Service Benefit or ESB. Usually, the ESB is given 2 days before you will leave. OFWs must make sure that they also know how to compute their ESB to know if they were given the right computation for the service. Don’t forget to take a letter from your employer that it would be your final settlement money. Also, have this letter photocopied for future references. Be careful also when withdrawing the money or sending it to your family through a remittance center.
- OFWs should surrender their Iqama. Your iqama or residence permit should be surrendered to the Passport offcie before you leave KSA. It is also advise that OFWs have a photocopy of their iqama and have it signed by the employer to show that you have given it to them. The exit visa alone doesn’t guarantee that OFWs can really be out of trouble and will be able to leave KSA.