The General Directorate of Passports (Jawazat) in Saudi Arabia has clarified that expatriates who receive a final exit visa must depart the Kingdom within 60 days of the visa’s validity or pay a 1,000 SAR fine to cancel the visa; the resident ID (iqama) must be valid for issuance and cancellation.

Jawazat clarifies final exit visa deadlines and iqama requirements.

What the Rule Requires

• Final exit visa holders must leave Saudi Arabia within 60 days from the visa’s validity start date.

• If the person does not leave within that 60-day window, a 1,000 SAR fine is applied to cancel the final exit visa.

• The resident’s iqama (residency permit) must be valid both when the final exit visa is issued and when it is cancelled.

Why Iqama Validity Is Important

The Jawazat requires the iqama to be valid during issuance and cancellation of a final exit visa. A valid iqama ensures proper administrative handling of residency and sponsorship records and allows Jawazat to process cancellations and reports without complications.

Employer Responsibilities After Issuing a Final Exit Visa

Employers must take active steps after issuing a final exit visa:

• Follow up to confirm the expatriate actually leaves the Kingdom — issuing the visa alone is not sufficient.

• If an employer does not know the resident’s whereabouts or the person fails to depart, the employer must cancel the visa and file an absence report.

• Failing to track departures can create legal and administrative problems for the sponsor.

Visitors and Dependents

Visitors sponsored by an expatriate remain listed under the host’s record until they themselves depart Saudi Arabia. Hosts should ensure visitors’ departures are recorded properly to avoid lingering sponsorship issues.

Re-Entry Requirements

Leaving on a final exit visa does not grant automatic re-entry. To return to Saudi Arabia, a person must have a new valid visa and valid travel documents. Any complications at the time of final exit (such as unpaid fines or unresolved administrative issues) may affect future visa applications.

Consequences of Missing the 60-Day Deadline

• Payment of a 1,000 SAR fine is required to cancel the final exit visa if the holder remains beyond the 60-day period.

• Potential administrative complications that could make future visa processing or re-entry more difficult.

• For employers, failure to cancel the visa and file the correct report may lead to sponsor-related issues.

Practical Tips for Expatriates and Employers

• Plan your travel so departure falls within the 60-day window after final exit is issued.

• Verify iqama validity before issuance of the final exit visa and keep it valid until cancellation is completed if needed.

• Settle outstanding matters (bank accounts, utilities, traffic fines) before departure.

• Employers: track employees issued final exit visas and cancel & file absence reports if employees fail to depart.

• Visitors/sponsored dependents: ensure their departures are recorded to clear sponsorship records.