Saudi Arabia’s General Directorate of Passports, through the official Absher platform, provides electronic services for issuing final exit visas to eligible residents, dependents and workers. The procedures include requirements relating to passport validity, residency status, outstanding traffic violations and other conditions that must be met before departure.

According to Absher’s official service guidance, a person applying for a final exit visa must hold a passport valid for at least 60 days. The individual’s residency permit, commonly known as an Iqama, must also remain valid when the visa is issued. The passport validity requirement differs from that for an exit and re-entry visa, which is at least 90 days.

Applicants must be physically present in Saudi Arabia at the time of issuance. The official requirements also include settling applicable traffic violations, ensuring that no vehicle is registered in the applicant’s name when requesting a final exit visa, and having a registered fingerprint for individuals aged 15 and above.

Other restrictions may apply when there are unresolved immigration or security issues. Absher’s service guidance explicitly states that an expired residency permit does not satisfy the requirements for issuing a final exit visa through the standard electronic service.

For family members and domestic workers, eligible citizens and residents can use Absher Individuals to issue the relevant visa electronically. The applicant selects the appropriate family member or worker, chooses the final exit visa option, reviews the conditions and completes the required steps.

Business owners can use Absher Business to issue final exit visas for eligible employees. The service is accessed through the business services menu, and applicants must ensure that the individual does not already have an active visa or an unresolved violation involving a previously issued and unused visa.

Absher Business guidance states that final exit visas issued through its establishment service must be used within two months of issuance. Failure to use the visa within the applicable period may result in penalties under Saudi regulations, making it essential to monitor the actual expiration date.

A separate Absher service also allows eligible residents to submit final exit visa requests electronically. Residents can access the visa requests service through My Services, select Passports and follow the instructions for submitting or tracking the request. The system checks the validity of the resident’s identification and passport details and any restrictions affecting eligibility.

It is important to distinguish between an application submitted directly by a worker and a visa issued by an employer or family sponsor. Processing procedures and applicable validity periods can vary according to the specific service and the person’s immigration and employment circumstances.

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development introduced final exit arrangements under its Labour Reform Initiative, allowing eligible expatriate private-sector employees to leave after their employment contracts end, with electronic notification to the employer and without requiring the employer’s approval, subject to the initiative’s conditions.

However, leaving while an employment contract remains in force may carry contractual consequences. Workers should therefore verify their employment status, outstanding obligations and entitlements before requesting a final exit visa, rather than assuming that immigration approval automatically resolves every employment-related matter.

Special rules also apply to certain cases involving workers who have stopped reporting for work. Ministry guidance describes a specified grace period during which eligible workers may transfer to another employer or arrange a final exit before their status changes under the relevant regulations.

Residents and employers are encouraged to verify passport and Iqama validity, outstanding violations, existing visas and employment-related restrictions before booking travel. They should also monitor the application through Absher and follow the departure deadline stated on the visa actually issued.

These procedures form part of Saudi Arabia’s established passport and employment services and do not represent a newly announced decision. Applicants should consult Absher and the relevant authorities for the latest requirements applicable to their individual circumstances.

Source: Saudi General Directorate of Passports – Absher – Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development