Riyadh – In a move signaling a continued push to bolster its tourism sector, Saudi Arabia’s General Directorate of Passports has announced a new policy offering a 30-day extension to visitors with expired tourist visas.The change aims to ease travel burdens and improve the experience for tourists as the Kingdom increasingly opens to international leisure travel [[2]]. Previously, overstays required immediate departure, though limited exceptions sometimes applied, making this a meaningful shift in policy [[1]].
Saudi Arabia is offering a 30-day extension to visitors whose tourist visas have expired, a move officials say is aimed at improving services for tourists and residents. The General Directorate of Passports announced the initiative, which provides a temporary reprieve for those who would have previously been required to leave the country immediately upon visa expiration.
Previously, visitors facing visa expiration often had limited options, frequently needing to depart Saudi Arabia without delay, though some were granted extensions under specific circumstances. The new policy represents a significant shift in how the country handles overstays.
According to the General Directorate of Passports, the extension is intended to enhance the overall experience for visitors and those residing in the Kingdom. Officials estimate that tens of thousands of individuals who recently experienced visa expirations will benefit from the program. The change underscores Saudi Arabia’s efforts to streamline travel and improve its tourism sector.
