Hijri New Year initiative: Saudi Arabia offers 30-day grace period for expired visit visas

Saudi Arabia has launched a special initiative to mark the beginning of the Hijri New Year, offering a grace period for visitors holding expired visit visas to legally remain in the country for an additional 30 days before departure.According to an official statement from the Kingdom's General Directorate of Passports, the extension period will begin on 1 Muharram 1447 AH, corresponding to June 27, 2025. This initiative applies to all types of visit visas that have expired, aiming to ease the process for individuals who need more time to finalize their departure from Saudi Arabia.To benefit from this initiative, applicants must first settle any outstanding fees or fines associated with their visas as required by current regulations. The Directorate emphasized that failure to clear these dues could prevent visitors from obtaining the extension.The visa extension request can be submitted exclusively through the Tawasul service, available on the Ministry of Interior’s "Absher" electronic platform. This digital service streamlines the application process, making it accessible and convenient for all eligible visitors.Authorities have called on all affected visitors to take advantage of this opportunity within the designated 30-day window. The move is part of broader efforts to support visitors and ensure compliance with immigration rules during the significant occasion of the Hijri New Year.