Saudi Arabia extends visit visa stay duration by an additional 30 days for overstayers before they must depart the country
In a move to provide flexibility and promote compliance with the kingdom's residency and immigration rules, Saudi Arabia has extended the grace period for overstaying visit visa holders. The updated rules, effective since June 26, grant a 30-day grace period to overstayers to settle fines and administrative fees before leaving the country, regardless of their visa type or classification.
The extension, announced by the General Directorate of Passports, took effect on Sunday, July 27. This latest extension of the grace period is part of Saudi Arabia's broader effort to regulate residency and ensure smoother departure processes for visitors overstaying their visas.
Overstayed visit visa holders can request an exit permit through the Saudi Ministry of Interior’s digital Absher platform via the “Tawasul” service to benefit from this grace period. However, it's important to note that the extension does not specify the duration of the new 30-day window.
Travelers must pay any outstanding fines or fees before leaving to avoid further penalties. The fines for overstaying can be substantial, up to SAR 50,000 if they fail to exit during the grace period. If an overstayer does not leave within the grace period or settle fines, penalties include heavy fines (up to SAR 50,000), imprisonment (up to 6 months), deportation, and multi-year bans on re-entry into Saudi Arabia.
The policy applies to all categories of visit visas—tourism, family, business, and others—not just specific visa types. The initiative to streamline exit procedures and promote compliance with the kingdom’s residency and immigration rules was first introduced in June.
The new rules were designed to provide a more flexible and humane exit process amid travel disruptions or emergencies, replacing prior harsher policies that imposed immediate fines or arrests on overstayers. This policy reflects Saudi Arabia’s move towards a more organized and technologically supported immigration system, balancing enforcement with flexibility for overstayers facing genuine difficulties.
In summary, overstayers on visit visas now have a legal, extended grace period (30 days, recently renewed for another 30 days) to exit Saudi Arabia after paying fines, using digital platforms like Absher, with failure to comply leading to severe penalties including large fines, imprisonment, deportation, and bans.
Amidst this new flexible approach, overstayers can utilize the digital Absher platform to apply for an exit permit during the extended 30-day grace period. This extended grace period, part of Saudi Arabia's larger effort to facilitate smoother departures and ensure compliance, also encompasses travel, family, business, and other visit visas as well.
