Updated Exit Visa Regulations for Resident Permit Holders

06 February 2025 – Holders of resident permits in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) now require at least 30 days of validity on their permit to apply for an exit visa. Previously, applications could be made up until the permit's last day. If a resident permit has less than 30 days of validity, it must be renewed before applying for an exit visa. Premium resident permits remain unaffected by this requirement.

Additionally:

• If the resident permit's validity is between 30 and 60 days, a final exit visa will be issued for the remaining validity period.
• If the resident permit's validity exceeds 60 days, the final exit visa will have a duration of 60 days.

Deloitte’s view

The updated exit visa regulations in KSA will necessitate more proactive management of resident permit renewals and exit visa applications for foreign nationals. Companies and their foreign employees must now ensure all documentation is up-to-date and plan to avoid last-minute complications.

These changes will likely result in foreign nationals needing to leave the country more promptly and, in all cases, before their resident permit expires. 

This shift is set to improve compliance and reduce instances of individuals remaining in the country without a valid work permit, but it requires meticulous coordination and attention to expiration dates to ensure smooth transitions.