Saudi Arabia has officially announces 30-Day Visa Grace Period beginning July 26, 2025. This new initiative by the General Directorate of Passports (Jawazat) applies to all types of visit visas. This includes family, business, and tourism, and provides a legal window for overstayers to regularize their status. They could exit the Kingdom without incurring further penalties.
The 30-Day Visa Grace Period project is part of Saudi Arabia’s larger attempts to streamline immigration enforcement and residence requirements. This is to enable a lawful and humane final departure process for visitors who have overstayed, either unintentionally or owing to logistical obstacles. The officials highlighted that the extension is a one-time opportunity. They advised all impacted individuals to take advantage of the 30-day period to avoid harsher consequences such as higher fines, deportation, or long-term re-entry bans.
Procedure
Individuals who are eligible for the grace period must submit their final departure requests through the “Tawasul” service. It is accessible via the Ministry of Interior’s computerized portal, Absher. Visitors must log in to their Absher account, navigate to the “Passports” area, then the “Tawasul” service, and request that their expiring visit visa be extended expressly for final departure. This application must be completed manually. It is not an automatic extension. Approval and processing times may vary, thus applying early is recommended to ensure a smooth exit.
This step underscores Saudi Arabia’s commitment to properly regulating residency and visa overstays, as well as providing a practical option for people who find themselves in irregular status. It is consistent with previous immigration policies aimed at better management of foreign nationals. They are guaranteeing conformity with the Kingdom’s legal framework.
The extension of the 30-Day Visa Grace Period provides welcome relief and allows persons with expired visit visas to leave Saudi Arabia legally. A significant administrative improvement for foreigners currently in the Kingdom.
