Leaving Saudi Arabia permanently on a final exit visa is more than just booking a flight home. It’s a comprehensive process that requires careful planning, attention to detail, and proper timing. Whether you’re wrapping up a long career in the Kingdom or moving on to new opportunities, following these essential steps will help you avoid complications and ensure a smooth departure.
This guide breaks down everything you need to know, from understanding visa requirements to settling your financial obligations, so you can leave Saudi Arabia with peace of mind.
Understanding the Final Exit Visa
Before diving into the preparation steps, it’s important to understand what a final exit visa means. This visa permanently cancels your Iqama (residency permit) and allows you to leave Saudi Arabia for good. Once leaved, you cannot return on the same work visa. Any future return would require a completely new visa application and employment contract.
According to the General Directorate of Passports (Jawazat), your final exit visa is valid for a maximum of 60 days from the date of issuance. If you don’t depart within this period, you may face fines and potential re-entry bans.
Step 1: Notify Your Employer and Understand Your Rights
Your first step should be to inform your employer in writing about your intended final exit date, ideally 60 to 90 days in advance. This gives everyone enough time to complete the necessary procedures.
When you notify your employer, ask for the following information:
- A provisional estimate of your End of Service Benefits (gratuity)
- A list of departmental clearances you need to complete (IT equipment, fuel cards, access badges, corporate credit cards)
- Confirmation of your last working day and final payroll date
- The method and timing for receiving your End of Service payment
Understanding Your End of Service Benefits
According to Saudi Labor Law (Article 84), you’re entitled to End of Service Benefits calculated based on your last salary and years of service:
- For the first five years: Half a month’s salary for each year
- For years beyond five: One full month’s salary for each year
For example, if you worked for 8 years with a final salary of SAR 10,000:
- First 5 years: 0.5 × 10,000 × 5 = SAR 25,000
- Next 3 years: 1 × 10,000 × 3 = SAR 30,000
- Total: SAR 55,000
However, if you resign (rather than being terminated), your entitlement depends on your length of service:
- Less than 2 years: No gratuity
- 2 to 5 years: One-third of the full amount
- 5 to 10 years: Two-thirds of the full amount
- More than 10 years: Full amount
You can verify your calculation using the official End of Service calculator on the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD) website.
Step 2: Check Your Iqama and Passport Validity
This is critical. According to recent updates from Jawazat (January 2025), your Iqama must be valid for at least 30 days when requesting a final exit visa.
Here’s how it works:
- If your Iqama has less than 30 days validity: You cannot issue a final exit visa and must renew your Iqama first
- If your Iqama has 30 to 60 days validity: A final exit visa can be issued, but its duration will match your Iqama’s remaining validity
- If your Iqama has 60+ days validity: A final exit visa can be issued with the standard 60-day validity
Your passport must also be valid for at least 60 days from the date you plan to depart.
Related: How to Check your Iqama Expiry Date in 2026
Step 3: Clear All Traffic Violations and Fines
You cannot obtain a final exit visa if you have outstanding traffic violations. Check your status through the Absher or Efaa platform and pay any fines immediately.
Even minor violations can block your exit, so this should be done well in advance. Keep the payment receipts as proof.
Related: How to Check Traffic Fines in Saudi Arabia
Step 4: Settle Your Financial Obligations
This is one of the most important steps. Banks in Saudi Arabia are connected to the Absher system, and unpaid debts can prevent your departure.
Credit Cards and Loans
- Pay off all credit card balances completely, including any unbilled transactions
- Request credit card closure at least 10 to 12 working days before your final exit
- If you have personal loans, pay them in full and obtain a clearance letter
- If you have a car lease from a bank, either transfer it to someone else or settle the outstanding amount
Critical Banking Timeline
Saudi banks freeze accounts almost immediately after your final exit visa is processed—typically within 24 to 48 hours of visa issuance, not after you physically depart. Many expatriates have reported losing access to online banking and being unable to make any transactions once the visa is issued.
To protect yourself:
- Transfer most of your funds to your home country before the final exit visa is issued
- Keep a sufficient balance for final bills and unexpected expenses
- Request bank statements and clearance certificates before your visa is processed
- If you’re waiting for your End of Service Benefits, coordinate closely with your employer to ensure the payment arrives before your final exit visa is issued
While accounts are frozen, they can still receive incoming deposits briefly. Banks typically provide a 180-day grace period after freezing before permanently closing accounts if documents aren’t updated, but you won’t be able to withdraw or transfer during this period without special arrangements.
Money Transfer Tips
- Run a small test transfer to your home country first to ensure it goes through
- Once confirmed, send your main remittance
- Keep proof of all transfers and payment receipts
- Download 12-24 months of bank statements as PDFs before your account is frozen
Step 5: Handle Your Vehicle
Any vehicle registered in your name must be sold or transferred before you can obtain a final exit visa. You cannot leave Saudi Arabia with a vehicle still registered under your ownership.
Options for Your Vehicle
- Sell it outright: Use platforms like CarSwitch, Syarah, or local dealerships
- Transfer ownership: Complete the process through the Absher platform
- Transfer your car lease: If you have a leased vehicle, transfer it to another person or return it to the bank
Vehicle Transfer Process via Absher
The online vehicle transfer through Absher is straightforward:
- Both seller and buyer must have active Absher accounts
- A valid vehicle inspection certificate (issued within the last 30 days) is required
- The process takes approximately 48 hours once both parties confirm
- Total transfer fees are SAR 380 (SAR 150 government fees through SADAD + SAR 230 Absher service fees including VAT, paid by the buyer)
Note: Government fees may vary between SAR 150-300 depending on vehicle type and size.
Make sure to clear all traffic fines on the vehicle before initiating the transfer, as violations can block the process.
Step 6: Terminate Your Housing Contract (Ejar)
Your Ejar (rental contract) must be officially cancelled or removed from your name. If you’re still listed as a tenant when your final exit is processed, it can create complications.
Steps to Cancel Your Ejar Contract
- Contact your landlord to schedule a termination meeting
- Sign the mutual termination agreement on the Ejar platform
- Conduct a final inspection of the property
- Take photos of meter readings (electricity, water) at move-out
- Take photos of the property’s condition (walls, appliances, fixtures)
- Settle any outstanding utility bills
- Collect your security deposit (coordinate with your landlord about the refund timeline)
Keep all termination documents, receipts, and photos in case of disputes. Make sure you receive written confirmation of the Ejar cancellation.
Step 7: Handle School Clearances (If You Have Children)
If your children are enrolled in schools in Saudi Arabia, start the clearance process early—ideally 45 to 60 days before departure.
Documents to Request
- Official transcripts for all grades completed
- Transfer certificates (TC)
- Standardized test records
- Letters of recommendation (if needed for future schools)
- Vaccination records
- Clear all outstanding fees, library books, and sports equipment
- Collect bus deposit refunds
Keep these documents safe, as your children will need them for enrollment in their next school.
Step 8: Cancel Utilities and Subscriptions
Don’t cancel your utilities too early—you’ll need internet access during your move for communication and final arrangements.
Recommended Timeline
- Cancel internet and utilities for your move-out date plus one day (this gives you connectivity during the move)
- Close or downgrade your mobile SIM card (you may want to keep it temporarily for OTP codes needed for final banking transactions)
- Cancel streaming services, gym memberships, and other subscriptions
- Return any rented equipment (internet routers, cable boxes)
Request final bills and cancellation receipts for all services. Take meter readings and photos as proof.
Step 9: Apply for Your Final Exit Visa
Only apply for your final exit visa after you’ve completed most of the previous steps and coordinated with your employer about your End of Service Benefits.
Requirements for Final Exit Visa
According to official sources, you must meet these conditions:
- Your Iqama must be valid for at least 30 days
- No outstanding traffic violations
- No vehicle registered in your name
- All dues and obligations cleared
- You must be physically present in Saudi Arabia when the visa is issued
- Passport valid for at least 60 days
- Fingerprints on file (for those aged 15 and above)
How to Apply
Your employer or sponsor applies for the final exit visa through the Absher platform or Muqeem Portal. The visa is issued electronically and free of charge.
For Family Members and Dependents
If you sponsor family members, the process depends on timing:
- If leaving in the same year: When your final exit visa is issued, your dependents’ final exit visas are automatically issued at the same time—no separate application needed
- If dependents are outside Saudi Arabia: You must apply separately through Absher, uploading required documents (expired exit/re-entry visa, dependents’ Iqamas, passports, and your documents)
- If different departure timing: Separate applications are required through Absher’s Family Services section
All dependents must leave Saudi Arabia as they are tied to the sponsor’s residency status. Make sure all their traffic fines are cleared and documents are valid before the visa is processed.
Related: How to Check Your Final Exit Visa Status in Saudi Arabia
Step 10: Prepare Your Departure Documents
In the final week before departure, organize all your essential documents. You may not be able to access Absher or bank portals after your final exit visa is issued, so download and print everything you need.
Police Clearance Certificate (Optional but Important)
If you’re planning to work in another country after leaving Saudi Arabia, consider obtaining a Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) before your final exit. Many countries require this for employment or visa purposes. Apply through Absher while your Iqama is still valid—it’s much simpler than trying to get it after you’ve left the Kingdom.
Documents to Download and Print (Two Copies Each)
- Final exit visa for yourself and all dependents
- Flight tickets and travel itinerary
- Iqama (carry the original)
- Passports (originals)
- End of Service Benefits statement
- Bank account closure certificates
- Credit card closure letters
- Ejar termination documents
- School clearance certificates and transcripts
- Vehicle sale or transfer documents
- Final utility bills and receipts
- No-objection or clearance letters from your employer
Additional Items to Organize
- Create a digital folder with PDFs of all important documents and save it to cloud storage
- Export bank statements for the past year
- Keep receipts for final remittances to your home country
- Ensure you have emergency contact information for HR and relevant authorities
On Departure Day
Keep your original documents in your carry-on luggage, not checked baggage. This includes passports, Iqamas, final exit visa printouts, and employer clearance letters.
Final Tips for a Smooth Exit
Start Early: Begin planning at least 90 days before your intended departure date. The smallest oversight—an unpaid bill, an active subscription, or an untransferred vehicle—can delay or block your exit.
Keep Records: Save digital and physical copies of every clearance letter, receipt, payment confirmation, and official document. These may be needed for future reference or if you plan to return to Saudi Arabia later.
Coordinate Timing: Work closely with your employer to ensure your final exit visa isn’t issued before your End of Service Benefits are paid. Once the visa is processed, your bank accounts will be frozen within 24-48 hours.
Check for Dependents: If you sponsor family members leaving in the same year, their final exit visas will be automatically issued with yours. For other situations, separate applications are required.
Money Transfers: Transfer most of your funds before your final exit visa is processed. Test with a small amount first to ensure the transfer goes through, then send the larger amount. Keep proof of all transfers.
Stay Connected Briefly: Consider keeping your mobile number active on prepaid for a short period after the visa is issued, in case you need to receive OTP codes for final banking transactions or resolve any last-minute issues.
What Happens After You Leave?
After your departure on final exit:
- Your Iqama is permanently cancelled
- Your bank accounts will remain frozen; banks typically close them after 180 days if documents aren’t updated
- Any outstanding End of Service Benefits should be settled as per your agreement with your employer
- You can return to Saudi Arabia in the future only with a new visa (there is no automatic ban for those who left legally on final exit)
If you had any violations, labor disputes, or were reported as absconding, you may face a temporary or permanent re-entry ban. However, if you followed all legal procedures and left with proper clearances, you should have no issues returning in the future.
Conclusion
A final exit from Saudi Arabia requires systematic planning and attention to detail. By following these ten steps—from notifying your employer early to organizing your departure documents—you can ensure a smooth transition out of the Kingdom.
Remember that every situation is unique, and regulations can change. Always verify current requirements with official sources like the Ministry of Interior, MHRSD, and your employer before making final decisions.
This may change. Please verify details on official government portals (Absher, Muqeem, MHRSD) before proceeding with your final exit.