What is the Final Exit Visa in Saudi Arabia?

The final exit visa, also known as Khurooj Nihai, is a crucial document for expatriates working in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This visa holds the key to their departure from the country and is an essential part of the immigration process for foreigners who have completed their tenure in Saudi Arabia. In this comprehensive guide, we will delve into the intricacies of the final exit visa, from its requirements and application process to important rules and regulations.

Final Exit Visa Requirements

Mandatory Requirements:

1. Dependent Fee Payment: Before applying for a final exit visa, expatriates must ensure they have settled the dependent fee for the last 60 days from the date of visa issuance. This fee is obligatory and must be cleared as per Saudi law.
2. Residence in the Kingdom: The individual to whom the visa is to be issued must be physically present within the boundaries of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia when applying for and receiving the final exit visa.
3. Valid Passport: The passport of the visa applicant must have a validity of at least 60 days beyond the date of final exit visa issuance.
4. Resignation with Notice: It is essential for employees to formally resign from their job positions, adhering to the notice period stipulated in their employment contracts.
5. Traffic Violation Fines: All outstanding traffic violation fines should be settled before applying for the final exit visa.
6. Vehicle Ownership: Expatriates who own vehicles in Saudi Arabia must either sell their vehicles or transfer ownership to another party.
7. Valid Iqama: The Iqama (residency permit) of the visa applicant must be valid at the time of application.

Optional Requirements:

While not mandatory, these optional requirements can help streamline the final exit process:

• Police Clearance Certificate: Obtaining a police clearance certificate from Saudi Arabia can be beneficial, especially for individuals who may require it in their home countries.
• End of Service Benefits: Transferring end-of-service benefits to a bank account in the home country can be a practical step to secure one’s financial interests.
• Settling Bills: Clearing any outstanding postpaid internet, mobile, and electricity bills can prevent any potential complications.
• Ejar Contract: If you plan to continue your lease, ensure you settle the necessary payments with your landlord to avoid complications.
• Landline and Internet Connection: Disconnect any landline and internet connections associated with your name.
• Debts: Pay off loans and credit card bills to avoid any legal issues.
• Bank Account Closure: Close your bank account in Saudi Arabia before departing on the final exit.
• Cargo Service: Since airlines typically allow limited luggage, using cargo services to send your belongings can be more convenient.

Final Exit Visa Application Process

For Individual Employees:

Employees who meet specific criteria can request their own final exit visa using the Absher platform, following the new Saudi labor law revisions. The criteria include:

• No car or vehicle registered under their name.
• All dependents have been issued final exit visas.
• All dependents on family visit visas have left Saudi Arabia.

How to Apply Through Absher:

1. Log in to Absher.
2. Click on the “Services” button under “My Services.”
3. Select “Passports” from the given options.
4. Click on “Visa Requests.”
5. Choose the “Final Exit Visa” type.
6. Agree to the terms and conditions.
7. Click on the “Confirm” button to request the final exit visa.

In case any of the prerequisites mentioned above are not met, an error message will appear, indicating that the individual is not eligible to create a visa request, and they should contact the General Directorate of Passports.

How to Apply Through Muqeem:

1. Log in to Muqeem.
2. Click on E-transactions.
3. Select ‘Electronic final exit visa.’
4. Click on ‘Issue final exit visa.’
5. Enter the security code.
6. Enter the resident’s data.
7. Agree to the terms and conditions.
8. Click ‘Confirm.’
9. Select ‘Print.’

Final Exit Visa Rules for Individual Employees

When applying for a final exit visa through Absher, certain rules apply:

• The employer has a maximum of 10 days to approve or reject the request.
• If the employer approves the visa, the employee has 5 days to issue the final exit visa.
• If the employer rejects the visa, the Ministry of Labor (MOL) will review the objection and make a decision within 10 days of the initial request.
• If the employer does not respond within 10 days, the request is considered accepted.

Final Exit Visa for Dependents

To apply for a final exit visa for dependents, the following conditions must be met:

• There must be no car or vehicle under the dependent’s name.
• The dependent fee is paid for 60 days from the date of the visa.
• Valid Iqama is required.
• Passport validity should be at least 60 days.
• The dependent must be physically present in Saudi Arabia.
• There should be no unpaid violations.

How to Apply:

1. Log in to Absher.
2. Click on the “Services” tab under Family Members.
3. Select “Visa Services” from the given options.
4. Click on the “Next” button.
5. Choose the dependent by clicking on “More Details.”
6. Select “Issue Final Visa.”
7. Agree to the terms and conditions.
8. Click “OK” to proceed with the issuance of the final exit visa.

Final Exit Visa Status Check

To check the status of your final exit visa, there are two methods available, through the Ministry of Labor (MOL) website and the Absher platform.

Checking via the MOL Website:

1. Visit the MOL website.
2. Provide your ID number.
3. Click on the “green” button.
4. If your employer has issued your Final Exit Visa, you will see a “خروج نهايي” (final exit) result in the employment status.
5. If your final exit has not been issued yet, you will see the result “علي رأس العمل” (under employment).

Checking via the Absher Platform:

1. Visit the Absher website.
2. Choose “Individuals.”
3. Select English or Arabic.
4. Log in to the Absher platform.
5. Go to “Dashboard.”
6. Click on “More Details” under the name tab.
7. Scroll down and look for “Visa Class” under “Visa Information.”
8. If your Final Exit Visa has already been issued, your Visa Class will show as “FINAL.”

Final Thoughts

A final exit visa in Saudi Arabia is a crucial document that expatriates must navigate meticulously when planning to leave the country. Understanding the requirements, application process, and associated rules is essential to ensure a smooth and hassle-free departure.