On 20 June 2026, the General Directorate of Passports (Jawazat) in Saudi Arabia issued a clarification regarding rules for residents whose Final Exit Visa expires before they depart the Kingdom.1
WHY THIS MATTERS
This clarification has direct implications for global mobility programs, human resources managers, and expatriate employees in Saudi Arabia. For mobile employees, an expired Final Exit Visa not only results in a monetary fine but may also delay repatriation, affect immigration records, and complicate future entries or employment in Saudi Arabia. This clarification may increase the administrative burden for employers by requiring closer tracking of exit-visa validity and Iqama status to avoid fines and cancellation delays.
Key Highlights
- Final Exit Visa validity: The visa is valid for 60 days from the date of issuance, regardless of Iqama (Resident Identity Card) expiry.
- Mandatory exit: Residents are required to depart Saudi Arabia within the 60-day validity period.
- Penalty for overstay: Failure to leave before visa expiry results in a SAR 1,000 fine.
- Cancellation procedure: Employers may cancel expired visas only after paying the fine, provided the employee’s Iqama is still valid.
- Issuance process: Final Exit Visas are issued electronically through the Ministry of Interior’s Absher Business e-services platform.
KPMG INSIGHTS
In light of the change, organizations might wish to consider the following:
- Strengthen internal tracking processes for visa issuance and expiry dates to support timely completion of exit procedures.
- Monitor the validity of employee Iqamas until exit-related formalities are fully completed.
- Communicate applicable exit timelines clearly to mobile employees to help reduce the risk of missed deadlines.
- Consider assigning responsibility within HR or mobility teams for monitoring and actioning exit procedures.
- Account for applicable exit timelines when planning employee departures, as delays may result in penalties or administrative complications.
If assignees and/or their programme managers have any questions or concerns about the update, they should consult with their qualified immigration professional or a member of the GMS/People Services team with KPMG in the Lower Gulf (see the Contacts section).
ENDNOTE:
1 Saudi Expatriates, “Saudi Jawazat clarifies rules if final Exit Visa expires without leaving,” published on 20 June 2026.
Contacts
Disclaimer
* Please note the KPMG International member firm in the United States does not provide immigration or labour law services. However, KPMG Law LLP in Canada can assist clients with U.S. immigration matters.
The information contained in this newsletter was submitted by the KPMG International member firm in the United Arab Emirates.
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