• 01 Jul, 2025

Hijri New Year: Saudi Arabia Launches New Visa Extension Scheme

Hijri New Year: Saudi Arabia Launches New Visa Extension Scheme

To commemorate the start of the Hijri New Year, Saudi Arabia has unveiled a temporary visa relief measure for visitors with expired visas, offering a legal pathway to exit the country within 30 days.

In a significant move coinciding with the start of the Islamic Hijri New Year, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has announced a new visa extension initiative aimed at easing the departure process for visitors whose visas have expired. The initiative provides a 30-day grace period for holders of all types of expired visit visas to leave the country legally and without complications.

The announcement was made by the General Directorate of Passports (Jawazat), highlighting the government’s commitment to supporting visitors during a time of spiritual and cultural significance. The extension window officially begins on the 1st of Muharram, 1447 AH, corresponding to June 27, 2025, and will be valid for a full 30-day period.

According to the Jawazat, this initiative is part of broader efforts to enhance administrative flexibility and ensure that foreigners who have overstayed their visit due to various reasons are given an opportunity to regularize their status. It is seen as a humanitarian gesture aligning with the values of the new Islamic year, providing relief and easing the burden on individuals who may be facing legal or logistical hurdles due to visa expiry.

The visa extension is applicable to all types of visit visas, regardless of the visitor’s country of origin or the purpose of their visit—be it tourism, business, or family-related. However, to take advantage of the extension, applicants must first fulfill certain requirements. Specifically, they are required to pay any outstanding fines or fees as mandated by current immigration laws. Once these dues are cleared, the visitors will be eligible to finalize their departure without facing further legal penalties or complications.

The initiative offers a valuable opportunity for thousands of visitors to exit the country smoothly, particularly those who may have overstayed unintentionally due to travel restrictions, financial issues, or other personal circumstances. Authorities have emphasized that the extension does not equate to visa renewal; instead, it is a final departure facilitation aimed at resolving overstay cases in a structured and legal manner.

This policy comes at a time when Saudi Arabia continues to modernize and reform its visa and residency systems as part of Vision 2030, a national transformation plan that includes making the Kingdom more accessible to tourists, investors, and foreign professionals. By launching such compassionate measures, the Saudi government also reinforces its dedication to upholding Islamic values of mercy and justice during important religious milestones.

The General Directorate of Passports urges all affected individuals to utilize this 30-day window wisely and complete the departure process within the given timeframe. Failure to do so may lead to further legal actions, including fines, deportation, and possible entry bans in the future.

Residents and sponsors are also encouraged to inform their guests and family members about the initiative to ensure maximum compliance and awareness.

With this latest announcement, Saudi Arabia not only welcomes the new Hijri year with a message of goodwill but also demonstrates a practical approach to immigration management that considers the needs of both the state and its foreign visitors.