Exit Visas

What are they? Do I need one?

An exit visa is a document giving a traveller permission to leave the borders of a particular state. An exit visa is normally defined as 'a visa that lets a person leave his or her country'. Some countries may require foreign visitors to obtain an exit visa to leave the country. Saudi Arabia is one such country.

Very few states require citizens to obtain exit visas.

North Korea, Cuba, Belarus, Qatar and Saudi Arabia still require exit visas to leave the country.

Saudi Arabia requires foreign citizens to obtain an exit visa. Following a terrorist attack in Egypt there was talk that Russia was considering the reintroduction of Soviet-style exit visas for citizens travelling abroad. However, the deputy prime minister denied this and said the focus would be on improving airline security.

In Saudi Arabia the requirement for foreign workers to obtain exit visas which require the cooperation of employers and ministry of labour, gives an employer increased control over workers.

Whereas most governments will not insist you obtain an exit visa, some will require you to hold a visa for the country you are travelling to. China required this, even for countries which allowed visa-free travel for Chinese citizens. In 2014 this requirement ceased to exit.

Airlines, rather than governments, will check your visa requirements. Without holding a passport from a visa-exempt country, unless you have a valid visa, in a boarding pass will not be issued by the airline. In many cases you will require a return ticket or a flight out of the destination country.

When you reach the border of the country, you may be required to to show you have funds to cover your stay and accommodation booked.

Most countries will require your passport is valid for at least six months beyond your stay in the country. Airlines will check this on check in and not issue a boarding pass if the requirement is not met.

Summary

An exit visa is seldom required today. The exceptions are the oil-rich gulf countries where Saudi Arabia and Qatar require foreign workers to obtain them.

Airlines will not allow you to board if they feel you may be denied entry to your destination country. A valid visa or visa-exempy passport will be needed. Onward travel plans and tickets are required for some destinations.

At the border you may be asked to provide contact details and details of where you will be staying. A credit card will usually suffice if asked about how you will fund your stay.