Saudi Ministry of Interior: Expired visas extended without fines

In accordance with the directives of the wise leadership – may God protect them – and in a move reflecting the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's commitment to the safety and comfort of its guests, the Ministry of Interior has initiated exceptional measures to address the situations of visitors and residents. These measures include extending all types of expired visas, including visit, Umrah, transit, and final exit visas, for those whose visas expired on or after September 8, 1447 AH (February 25, 2026), and who were unable to depart due to the current circumstances in the region.

Mechanism for extending expired visas and waiving fines

The Ministry of Interior clarified that the processing of visa holders' situations will be carried out according to two main tracks to facilitate procedures for beneficiaries:

• The first option: Extending visas that expired on 8/9/1447 AH (25/2/2026 AD) based on the visitor's host's request, so that the extension extends until 1/11/1447 AH corresponding to 18/4/2026 AD. This is done electronically through the Absher platform after paying the legally prescribed fees.
• The second option: Enabling visa holders whose visas expired on the aforementioned date to leave directly through the Kingdom’s international ports, without the need to extend their visas in advance, and exempting them completely from paying any additional fees or late fees.

The Kingdom's humanitarian role in dealing with regional crises

The decision to grant exemptions and streamline procedures is not a spur-of-the-moment move, but rather an extension of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s long history of humanitarian engagement in regional and international crises. For decades, the Kingdom has demonstrated its unwavering commitment to protecting human rights and providing safe haven to those affected by conflicts or disasters. This approach was clearly evident during the COVID-19 pandemic, when the Saudi government automatically extended residency permits and visas free of charge. Furthermore, its extensive efforts in humanitarian evacuations during various regional crises underscore the Kingdom’s policy of prioritizing human beings, regardless of their nationality or background.

The positive effects of the decision at both the local and international levels

This exceptional decision has far-reaching implications. Domestically, it contributes to regulating the legal status of visitors and residents, and alleviates the administrative burden on the General Directorate of Passports and security agencies by providing flexible digital solutions. Regionally and internationally, this initiative reinforces the Kingdom's position as a leading nation in humanitarian work and proactive diplomacy. It also sends a reassuring message to the international community and to citizens of countries affected by regional instability, affirming that the Kingdom is a safe and supportive environment for its visitors even in the most challenging circumstances. This aligns with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 to improve quality of life and enhance the Kingdom's positive global image.

A call to abide by the regulations and take the initiative to leave

In closing, the Ministry of Interior urged all beneficiaries of these generous directives and exceptional facilitations to take advantage of this grace period and depart before the deadline of 1/11/1447 AH, corresponding to 18/4/2026 AD. The Ministry emphasized the importance of adhering to this deadline to avoid violations, affirming that the applicable regulations in the Kingdom will be enforced against violators after the specified period expires, in order to ensure the rule of law and the stability of internal security.