Saudi Arabia has rolled out a new short-term initiative offering a 30-day extension for visitors whose visas have expired. The update, announced by the General Directorate of Passports, gives individuals a chance to apply for a final exit without facing long-term penalties—provided action is taken within the new grace period.
Effective from July 26 to August 23, the move allows visitors to submit a final exit request after settling the applicable fines. The announcement has drawn the attention of UAE-based expats and frequent Saudi visitors who may have overstayed their visit or have family currently in the Kingdom under expired documentation.
Who Can Benefit From the Grace Period?
This relief is directed towards all holders of expired Saudi visit visas, regardless of visa type. It applies to individuals still within the country who are now looking to leave through official channels.
To benefit from the extension, applicants must:
- Settle any outstanding visa-related fines
- Submit their request through the Tawasul Service on the Absher electronic platform within the specified window
This allows applicants to communicate with the passport department digitally and monitor their request status online, without needing to visit an office in person.
The Application Process Explained
The process to apply for the final exit is now simpler thanks to Tawasul, a feature within the Absher system. Users can:
- Log in to their Absher account
- Access the “Tawasul” option under the passport services section
- Submit the final exit visa request
- Upload any required documents and track application progress
Officials have confirmed that applications submitted through this service will be processed during the grace period, which ends on August 23.
Urging Immediate Action
Authorities have made it clear: this is a limited-time initiative, and there are no indications it will be extended again. Delaying action could lead to immigration penalties, future travel restrictions, or denial of future visa requests.
Authorities are urging UAE-based residents—whose relatives or employees are in Saudi Arabia on expired visit visas—to act quickly, as the grace period lasts only one month.
UAE Travellers Should Know
For those living in the UAE, this update holds practical significance. Saudi Arabia remains a key destination for many Dubai-based residents—for business, family visits, or spiritual travel. With frequent movement between the two countries, any disruption in visa status can create challenges not just for the visitor but also for their hosts or sponsors in the UAE.
This grace period allows such visitors a way to legally exit Saudi Arabia and potentially re-enter in the future on a clean record. It’s also an opportunity for families or companies to support those under their sponsorship in resolving visa issues before they escalate into fines or bans.
Additional Visa Developments: Easier Access for Umrah Pilgrims
Saudi Arabia has also introduced broader changes to its visa policy in parallel. Among them is the reintroduction of the Saudi stopover visa, available to passengers travelling with Saudia and flynas. This visa now lets travelers perform Umrah during transit—an option standard transit visas didn’t allow before.
In another significant shift, residents of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)—including UAE residents—can now perform Umrah even if they hold:
- A tourist visa
- A transit visa
- Or a dedicated Umrah visa
This flexibility aligns with Saudi Arabia’s growing push to make religious tourism more accessible to a wider range of travellers, including those flying in for short durations or combining business trips with spiritual visits.
A Timely Reminder for UAE Residents
If you’re based in Dubai or elsewhere in the UAE and have friends, family members, or domestic workers in Saudi Arabia with an expired visit visa, this is the time to act. The process is relatively straightforward and can be completed online. What matters most is not missing the August 23 deadline.
While the initiative doesn’t cover renewal or long-term stay options, it offers a clean legal route for those seeking to exit the country and potentially apply for future entry on valid grounds.
Act Before the Window Closes
Saudi Arabia’s decision to extend a grace period for expired visit visas is both practical and necessary, especially given the volume of travel between the Kingdom and neighbouring Gulf states. The use of the Absher platform’s Tawasul Service has made the process more transparent and accessible than ever.
Whether for personal, religious, or employment-related reasons, expats living in the UAE with ties to Saudi Arabia are urged to stay informed, act quickly, and ensure no one misses this limited-time opportunity.
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