Riyadh, Saudi Arabia — The Ministry of Interior (MOI) of Saudi Arabia has announced a series of emergency visa relief decisions for foreign nationals whose visas have expired and who were unable to leave the Kingdom due to the ongoing situation in the region. The announcement was made following directives from the Saudi leadership.
The decisions offer two clear pathways — visa extension or penalty-free exit — and apply to a broad range of visa categories.
Who Does This Apply To?
The MOI relief measures cover holders of visit visas (all types), Umrah visas, transit visas, and final exit visas whose documents expired on or after 25 February 2026 (8/9/1447 AH).
Two Options Available
Option 1: Visa Extension
Affected visa holders who wish to remain in the Kingdom temporarily may apply to extend their expired visas through the Absher platform. To be eligible, the visa must have expired on or after 25 February 2026, and the host or sponsor must submit the request on the visitor’s behalf. The required government fees must be paid, and extensions are available until 18 April 2026 (1/11/1447 AH).
Option 2: Penalty-Free Departure
For those who wish to leave immediately, the Ministry has waived all overstay fines, penalties, and extension requirements. Eligible visa holders may depart Saudi Arabia freely through any international airport or land border crossing — without paying fees, extending their visa, or facing any legal penalties — provided they depart before the 18 April 2026 deadline.
Critical Deadline: 18 April 2026
The Ministry has urged all affected individuals to act before 18 April 2026. These exemptions will no longer cover those who neither extend their visas nor depart by this date, and they may face penalties and legal consequences under Saudi immigration regulations.
Key Takeaways
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Applicable Visas | Visit, Umrah, Transit, Final Exit |
| Effective From | 25 February 2026 |
| Extension Deadline | 18 April 2026 (via Absher) |
| Penalty-Free Exit Deadline | 18 April 2026 |
| Extension Channel | Absher Platform |
How to Extend Your Visa
Visa holders seeking an extension should log in to the Absher platform (absher.sa), ensure their sponsor submits the extension request on their behalf, and complete the required government fee payment before the deadline.
Those choosing to depart are advised to proceed directly to the nearest international airport or border crossing at the earliest opportunity.
SaudiScoop will continue to monitor and report on any further updates from the Ministry of Interior. For the latest immigration announcements, follow us at saudiscoop.com.
I’m Soha Owais, a law graduate with an LLB (Hons), blending my legal background with a passion for storytelling. As an author and writer at Saudiscoop.com, I craft engaging narratives that connect with both local and international audiences, bringing a fresh and informed perspective to the stories that matter.
