JEDDAH: The Saudi General Directorate of Passports announced on Monday a free re-entry visa validity extension for expat workers waiting abroad to return to the Kingdom. The announcement included the same extension and grace period for expats in Saudi Arabia who have invalid exit and entry visas that were not used due to the border closure. The extension also covers the residency permits (iqama) of laborers and domestic workers who have exit and entry visas, but whose iqamas expired while they were outside the Kingdom. ***** READ MORE: Saudi Arabia extends validity of exit, entry visas for expats Saudi Arabia extends tourist visas for 3 months for free ***** The decision includes a free of charge extension for the final-exit visas of expats who were not able to leave the country during pandemic. In a statement, the directorate set Sept. 30 as the final date for the extension. Expats working in commercial professions waiting to return to the Kingdom with exit and entry visas are also included in the extension, on the condition that their iqamas ended in the period between Aug. 1 and Aug. 31. The extension process will take place automatically. Visa holders are not required to visit local passport departments. Extensions will be electronically processed in cooperation with the National Information Center. The decision came four days after Saudi Arabia discussed the resumption of international flights during a virtual meeting with G20 foreign ministers. Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan said the move would help revive the economies of G20 member states. Saudi Arabia suspended international flights from March 15 in response to the pandemic. Since domestic flights restarted on May 31, rumors have been circulating regarding the return of international flights. Saudi Arabia has seen a massive drop in daily COVID-19 cases since its highest recorded count in June, the health ministry spokesperson has said. The Kingdom reported almost 5,000 confirmed cases on June 16, the most since it began recording infections on March 2. Just 768 new cases were recorded on Monday, raising total cases to 321,456.