Saudi Arabia’s General Directorate of Passports continues to provide an electronic service allowing citizens and residents to request extensions of eligible single-entry and multiple-entry visit visas through the Absher platform. The service enables sponsors hosting visitors to submit extension requests without visiting passport offices, provided all applicable requirements are satisfied.

The service is particularly relevant to families hosting relatives in the Kingdom who wish to extend their visits legally. However, an extension is not automatic, and the availability of the service does not mean that visitors can remain indefinitely or exceed the maximum duration permitted under their visa category.

The Directorate highlighted the availability of this electronic service in an announcement reported by Okaz newspaper on September 25, 2026. Official Absher guidance also confirms that visit visa extensions are an established electronic service, rather than an entirely new immigration measure introduced this week.

According to Absher, an extension request can be submitted when a visit visa has seven days or less remaining before expiry. Applications may also be accepted within a limited period after expiry, provided no more than three days have elapsed, including the expiration date, in accordance with the service requirements.

The visitor must be physically present in Saudi Arabia when the extension application is submitted. A valid passport is required, and the visitor must have no outstanding unpaid traffic violations.

Applicants must also ensure that the visitor’s medical insurance covers the entire requested extension period. In addition, the relevant government fee must be paid, and both the applicant and visitor must satisfy the other eligibility requirements specified by Absher.

The official Absher service information lists a government fee of SAR 100 for each visit visa extension. Applicants should distinguish this charge from the separate requirement to maintain valid medical insurance for the extended period.

Timing is one of the most important considerations. Families should not assume that a visa can be extended at any time after its expiration, as the electronic application window is limited and subject to strict conditions.

Even where the application is submitted during the permitted period, approval depends on the visa type, remaining permitted duration, applicable immigration regulations and successful verification of all required information.

To use the service, the sponsor must sign in to an active Absher account and navigate to the relevant electronic services for family members or workers, depending on the visitor’s category. The applicant can then select the visit visa extension service and follow the instructions displayed.

In its September announcement, the General Directorate of Passports also referred to accessing visitor-related services through the My Services, Passports and Visitor Services sections of the platform, depending on the available account interface.

The applicant must complete the necessary information, verify eligibility, settle the government charge and confirm that the extension has been successfully recorded before relying on a new departure date.

The service is subject to the legally permitted duration of the relevant visa. Sponsors should therefore review the specific visa category and the maximum extension period rather than assuming that all visit visas qualify for identical extensions.

Medical insurance is another essential requirement. The policy must remain valid for the full period being requested, not merely on the date when the extension application is submitted.

These conditions are designed to support orderly immigration procedures while allowing eligible visitors additional time to remain with their families in accordance with Saudi regulations.

Citizens and residents hosting visiting relatives are advised to check visa validity in advance and prepare the required information before the permitted application period closes.

They should also monitor the application status through official electronic channels and verify that the updated visa details reflect the approved extension.

Absher remains the primary official source for confirming the requirements applicable to each individual visa, helping sponsors manage family visits while remaining compliant with Saudi immigration regulations.

Source: Saudi General Directorate of Passports – Absher – Okaz