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Saudi Arabia Announces 30-Day Exit Grace Period for Expired Visit Visas During Hijri New Year

Prime Highlights

  • Saudi Arabia grants a 30-day grace period between June 27, 2025, and the expiration holders of visit visas.
  • Requests for extensions are to be made using the Absher platform’s Tawasul service after paying respective fees.

Key Fact

  • The grace period is from June 27 to July 27, 2025, in 1 Muharram 1447 AH.
  • This kind of program provides lawful exit for all types of expired visit visa holders.

Key Background

As a humanitarian gesture to coincide with the Islamic New Year, Saudi Arabia’s General Directorate of Passports has launched a program of visa extension for holders of visit visas whose visas have expired. The move allows a 30-day grace period during which individuals can regularize their status and exit the Kingdom in a legal manner.

With effect from 1 Muharram 1447 AH, June 27, 2025, this proviso for guarantee extension remains untainted and unmarred. The gesture is a manifestation of Saudi Arabia’s dedication towards preserving human dignity without sacrificing command over the immigration process, particularly when periods of religious relevance are at hand.

In order to be able to utilize the extension, payment of any government arrears, i.e., overstay fines or service charges, should be made. The submission shall be done through Absher, the Ministry of Interior’s online portal, through the Tawasul service. The system facilitates visitors to correct their legal status easily and effectively without physically going to government offices.

The affected are requested to respond within the stipulated period of July 27, 2025. Any failure to respond after grace could be followed by legal proceedings, fines, or denial of future entry to the Kingdom. The directive applies to all categories of expired visit visas, which leads to equality and equal opportunity for compliance.

The program of visa renewal in Saudi also helps to make immigration handling smoother along with the general vision of the Kingdom to enhance visitor management during peak travel times like the Hijri New Year. It also supports the government vision of digitalization by enabling the utilization of web portals for matters of citizen and expatriate affairs.