Expats preparing to leave Saudi Arabia permanently should check their Iqama expiry date before requesting a final exit visa.
The Saudi General Directorate of Passports, also known as Jawazat, requires an Iqama to have at least 30 days of remaining validity.
A final exit visa cannot be issued if fewer than 30 days remain. The employer or sponsor must renew the Iqama first.
Fewer than 30 days means renewal first
Suppose an employee’s Iqama will expire in 20 days.
The employer cannot request a final exit visa while the Iqama has only 20 days left. It must be renewed before the visa application can proceed.
This may result in additional fees and delays. Workers should therefore check their Iqama early instead of waiting until their planned departure date.
Between 30 and 60 days changes the deadline
A final exit visa may be issued when the Iqama has more than 30 days but fewer than 60 days remaining.
However, the visa’s duration will be limited to the remaining validity of the Iqama.
For example, if the Iqama has 45 days left, the final exit visa will also be valid for 45 days.
The resident must leave Saudi Arabia within that period.
This rule was explained by the Saudi General Directorate of Passports through the Saudi Press Agency.
At least 60 days gives the full period
If the Iqama has 60 days or more remaining, the final exit visa will generally be issued for 60 days.
For example, a resident with 90 days left on the Iqama may receive a final exit visa that allows departure within 60 days.
The extra Iqama validity does not extend the final exit visa beyond the standard 60-day period.
| Remaining Iqama validity | Result |
|---|---|
| Fewer than 30 days | Iqama must be renewed |
| More than 30 but fewer than 60 days | Visa follows the remaining Iqama period |
| 60 days or more | Final exit visa is valid for 60 days |
Passport validity also matters
Iqama validity is not the only requirement.
According to the official Absher service guide, the expatriate’s passport must have at least 60 days of validity for a final exit visa.
The resident must also be inside Saudi Arabia when the visa is issued. Any fines or other requirements shown in Absher should be settled before the request is submitted.
What departing workers should do
Workers should check both their Iqama and passport dates before agreeing on a final working day or booking a flight.
They should also ask their employer when the final exit request will be submitted.
Receiving the visa does not mean the worker can remain until the Iqama expires. The departure must take place within the period printed on the final exit visa.