Eid Al Fitr 2026 in Saudi Arabia

The crescent moon marking the final nights of Ramadan has appeared in the sky, signalling that the holy month is nearing its end.

NCM forecasts partly to fully cloudy skies during the moon-sighting period, with rain in some regions and dust-raising winds across parts of the Kingdom.

Majmaah University Observatory Director Abdullah Al-Khudairi told Al-Ekhbariya TV that Ramadan is expected to complete 30 days astronomically, with Friday likely the first day of Eid Al-Fitr.

Majmaah University Observatory said the Shawwal crescent will set about 30 minutes before the sun on Wednesday evening (March 18), making sighting unlikely. This suggests Ramadan will complete 30 days, with Eid Al-Fitr expected on Friday, March 20.

The International Astronomical Center announced that sighting the Shawwal crescent on March 18 will not be possible because the moon will set before sunset and the conjunction will occur later in the evening.

As a result, countries that began Ramadan on February 18 are expected to complete 30 days of fasting, making Friday, March 20, 2026, the likely date for Eid Al-Fitr.

The General Directorate of Passports (Jawazat) announced the working hours of passport departments and branches across Saudi Arabia during the Eid Al-Fitr holiday for the year 1447 AH.

Jawazat stated that during Ramadan, the Passport Department in Al-Rimal District in Riyadh operates from 9:00 PM to 1:00 AM. The passport offices at Serafi Mall and Tahlia Mall in Jeddah will operate during the same hours until the end of the workday on Monday, 27 Ramadan 1447 AH.

Passport departments in other regions and governorates will operate from Sunday to Thursday, 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM, except for the passport departments in Al-Baha and Al-Jouf, which will operate from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

During the Eid Al-Fitr holiday, the Passport Department in Al-Rimal, Riyadh will operate from 8:00 AM to 2:30 PM, while the passport departments in Al-Baha and Al-Jouf will operate from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Passport departments in other regions and governorates will operate from Sunday to Thursday, 8:00 AM to 2:30 PM. The first days of Eid Al-Fitr will be an official holiday for all passport departments and branches across the Kingdom.

Jawazat also confirmed its readiness to handle emergency cases that cannot be completed through the Ministry of Interior’s electronic platforms, including Absher, Absher Business, and Muqeem. Beneficiaries can also use the Tawasul service to submit requests for transactions that cannot be completed electronically without visiting passport offices.

Public Security urges the public to donate only through officially approved platforms to ensure aid reaches legitimate beneficiaries.

Haramain High Speed Railway increases daily trips to more than 140 during the final 10 days of Ramadan.

Saudi astronomer Dr. Khalid Al-Zaaq expects Ramadan 1447 AH to complete 30 days, with Eid Al-Fitr likely to fall on Friday, March 20, 2026. The final date will be confirmed after the official moon sighting.