Can I Enter Saudi Arabia with a New Passport and Visa on the Old One?
Yes, you can travel to Saudi Arabia with a valid visa stamped on your old passport, but you must also carry your new passport. And specific conditions must be met to avoid issues at immigration.
Using Old Visa with New Passport to Enter Saudi Arabia - Key Points to Consider
Carry Both Passports
- Old Passport: Containing the unexpired Saudi visa.
- New Passport: Must be valid for at least 6 months from entry date.
You must bring both your new passport and the old passport that contains the valid Saudi e-Visa or visa sticker. The immigration authorities will verify the visa details in the old passport along with your identity in the new one.
Same Personal Details
The visa authorities need all personal information to precisely match between your passports. A visa will not be recognized if there exists any difference between the passport documents (such as name changes).
Contact the Saudi embassy or visa-issuing authority before travel to learn about transfer procedures when you use a new passport that contains modified information, such as a name change.
For E-Visas
- The rechecking of your Saudi e-Visa (electronic visa) details, including the number, validity period, and passport linkages, remains crucial for visa entry. Airlines and immigration systems may require you to update or reissue your e-Visa, especially if there are changes to your personal information, such as your passport number or name. However, reapplying is not always necessary unless such details have changed.
- You will not be allowed entry if the visa in your old passport has expired or been cancelled, even if you are carrying a new passport.
- The entry to Saudi Arabia is prohibited when your visa becomes invalid or when immigration cancels your visa. A name or nationality change between passports might require a visa transfer process.
- All travelers must verify Saudi immigration policy changes before their voyage.
In summary, traveling to Saudi Arabia is permitted with both a valid Saudi visa in your old passport and your new passport, as long as you keep these documents together during entry. The Saudi immigration system accepts visas from expired passports as long as the visa validity remains active and the personal information, including name and nationality, shows no alterations.
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