The Ministry of Interior’s Absher Business platform has recently introduced fees for seven services provided to establishments, as reported by Okaz. These fees include an updated fee for extending the exit and reentry visa amounting to SR103.5, as well as fees for the renewal of residency permits (Iqama), final exits, issuance of Iqama, requesting reports on employees, and updating passport information for expatriates. These fees are considered value-added services and are not part of the employer’s annual package with Absher Business.
The Absher Business platform, through its X account, has stated that the fees are for implementing the services and are not included in the employer’s subscribed package. In addition to these new fees, the Absher platform has introduced various new services in recent times. One such service allows host individuals to submit reports about cases of absconding of individuals who arrived in the Kingdom on a visitor visa. However, there are specific conditions that must be met in order to submit such a report.
According to the conditions set by the Absher platform, the absentee’s visa must be a visit visa classified as a personal or family visa. The report must be submitted after 7 days from the expiry of the visit visa, and cannot be submitted 14 days after expiry. The status of the visit visa must be expired, and the report can only be submitted once for each visitor. Additionally, there is no possibility to cancel the report once it has been submitted.
This new service aims to streamline the process of reporting absconding cases and ensure that individuals who arrive on visitor visas do not overstay their welcome in the Kingdom. It is part of the Ministry of Interior’s efforts to enhance the services provided through the Absher platform and improve the overall experience for users. By introducing fees for certain services, the Ministry is also able to cover the costs of implementing these value-added services and continue to invest in technological advancements.
Employers and establishments utilizing the Absher Business platform will need to be aware of these new fees for services such as extending exit and reentry visas, renewing residency permits, and obtaining reports on employees. By staying informed about these changes, they can ensure compliance with regulations and avoid any potential issues that may arise from not adhering to the updated fee structure. The Absher platform continues to evolve and offer new services to meet the needs of individuals and establishments in the Kingdom, making it a valuable tool for managing various processes efficiently.