Quick Summary
- Final Exit permanently cancels your iqama and ends your Saudi residency
- Your employer must issue a Final Exit visa through Absher — you cannot do it yourself
- Collect all your dues — EOSB, salary, leave — before signing anything
- Final Exit visa is valid for 60 days from issue date
- Once you exit on Final Exit, you need a new work visa to return
- Dependents on your iqama must also exit or transfer before you leave
What Is a Final Exit Visa?
A Final Exit visa is the official permission to permanently leave Saudi Arabia as a resident worker. Unlike an Exit Re-entry visa which allows you to leave and come back, a Final Exit visa permanently cancels your iqama (residency permit) and your work permit.
Once you use a Final Exit visa and leave the Kingdom, you are no longer a Saudi resident. To return to work in Saudi Arabia, you will need to go through the full visa application process again from your home country.
The Final Exit process is issued and controlled by your employer through the Absher Business platform. You cannot apply for it yourself — it must come from your sponsor.
Final Exit vs Exit Re-entry — The Key Difference
| Feature | Final Exit | Exit Re-entry |
|---|---|---|
| Iqama Cancelled? | Yes — permanently | No — stays active |
| Can You Return? | Only with new visa | Yes — same iqama |
| Who Applies | Employer via Absher | You via Absher or employer |
| Valid For | 60 days from issue | 30–180 days (varies) |
| Work Permit | Cancelled | Remains valid |
| Used When | Leaving permanently | Going on vacation/visit |
Before You Start — Checklist Before Requesting Final Exit
Most expats make the mistake of rushing the Final Exit process without securing everything they are owed first. Once you leave, getting money from a former employer becomes very difficult. Do everything on this checklist first:
Step-by-Step Final Exit Process
Once you have secured all your dues and are ready to leave, here is the exact process for getting your Final Exit visa:
Submit Resignation or End Employment Formally
Your employment must formally end before a Final Exit can be issued. This means either your contract expired, you submitted a formal resignation letter, or your employer terminated you. Always do this in writing.
Complete Company Clearance
Most companies have a clearance process where different departments sign off that you have no outstanding obligations — returned company equipment, ID cards, no pending loans from the company, etc. Complete this process but do not sign the final settlement document until payment is received.
Receive All Financial Dues
EOSB, final salary, pending leave pay, air ticket allowance — all of this must be in your bank account before you sign anything. Use our Final Settlement Calculator to verify the total amount you should receive.
Sign the Final Settlement and Clearance
Only after receiving all payments, sign the final settlement document. Keep a copy of everything you sign. This is the official confirmation that you have received your dues and releases the employer from further financial obligations.
Employer Issues Final Exit via Absher Business
Your employer's HR department logs into Absher Business and issues the Final Exit visa for your Iqama number. Once issued, you will receive a notification on your Absher app. You can also check by logging into Absher and going to "My Services" → "Residency."
Verify Final Exit on Absher
Before heading to the airport, verify the Final Exit is active on your Absher app. Check the issue date and validity (60 days). Do not travel without confirming the exit is properly issued.
Book Your Flight
Book your flight for any date within the 60-day validity of the Final Exit visa. There is no specific process at the ticket booking stage — just ensure your passport is valid and the Final Exit is showing on Absher.
Airport Departure Process
At the airport, your passport and Iqama will be scanned. The system will detect the Final Exit and process your departure. Your Iqama will be physically collected or cancelled in the system at this point. You will receive your exit stamp in your passport.
What Happens If Employer Refuses to Issue Final Exit?
This unfortunately happens. Some employers use the Final Exit as leverage — refusing to issue it unless you agree to certain conditions, waive your dues or sign documents under pressure. This is illegal.
Under Saudi Labour Law and the updated mobility rules, an employer cannot hold you in the country against your will. Here is what you can do:
- File a complaint at HRSD — Go to hrsd.gov.sa or visit the nearest HRSD office and file a complaint stating the employer is refusing to issue your Final Exit. HRSD can intervene and force the employer to issue it.
- Contact your country's embassy — Your home country's embassy in Saudi Arabia can assist and sometimes put pressure on employers or coordinate with Saudi authorities.
- Apply through the Labour Court — The Labour Court can order the employer to issue a Final Exit. This takes longer but is a legal option.
- Self-exit option (limited cases) — In certain circumstances involving abuse or unpaid salary, HRSD has the authority to issue a Final Exit directly without employer involvement. This is handled on a case-by-case basis.
Final Exit and Dependents
If your spouse, children or other family members are on your iqama as dependents, you must handle their exit carefully before processing your own Final Exit.
- Option 1 — Exit together: Your dependents leave Saudi Arabia on your Final Exit. They will exit on their own dependent visas and all residency is cancelled together.
- Option 2 — Transfer to another sponsor: If a dependent (e.g. spouse) has found employment in Saudi Arabia, they can transfer their iqama to their new employer's sponsorship before you exit.
- Option 3 — Dependent exit visa: Your employer can issue separate exit visas for dependents so they can leave at a different time than you.
Final Exit Visa Validity and What Happens If It Expires
The Final Exit visa is valid for 60 days from the date it is issued. If you do not exit within 60 days, the visa expires and your employer must issue a new one.
If your Final Exit expires and you remain in Saudi Arabia without a valid status, you begin accumulating iqama overstay fines at SAR 100 per day. Contact your employer immediately to reissue the Final Exit if this happens.
Final Exit After End of Contract
If your fixed-term contract expires and is not renewed, your employer must issue your Final Exit. The process is the same but the trigger is the contract expiry rather than a resignation or termination letter.
Even if the employer is slow to process things, your entitlement to EOSB and final settlement does not change. The 7-day payment deadline still applies from your last working day.
Documents to Keep Before You Leave
Before boarding your final flight, make sure you have copies of all these documents. Once you are back home, getting copies from Saudi Arabia becomes very difficult:
Common Final Exit Mistakes to Avoid
- Signing clearance before receiving payment — The most common and costly mistake. Never sign before the money is in your account.
- Leaving without checking Absher — Always verify the Final Exit is active on Absher before going to the airport. Showing up without a valid exit can cause serious delays.
- Forgetting dependents — Arrange your dependents' exit or transfer before processing your own Final Exit.
- Not collecting your passport early — Some employers hold passports. Demand yours back well before your planned exit date.
- Leaving with unresolved legal issues — If you have a pending labour complaint or court case, leaving on Final Exit may complicate following up. Get legal advice before exiting if you have open cases.
- Not keeping copies of documents — Scan everything before you leave. Phone photos of documents are better than nothing.
Calculate Your Full Final Settlement
Before accepting any payment from your employer, calculate exactly what you are owed — EOSB, notice period, pending leave and air ticket — all in one place.
Open Final Settlement CalculatorFrequently Asked Questions
Can I apply for a Final Exit myself without my employer?
Not through the standard process. Final Exit must be issued by your employer through Absher Business. However, in cases of employer abuse, unpaid salary or Huroob threats, HRSD can sometimes issue exit authorization directly. File a complaint at HRSD if your employer is blocking your exit.
How long does it take for the employer to issue Final Exit?
Once the employer processes it through Absher Business, it is usually reflected within a few hours to 24 hours. Administratively, it takes minutes to issue. If your employer is delaying, it is intentional and you should escalate to HRSD.
Can I return to Saudi Arabia after Final Exit?
Yes, but not on the same iqama — it is cancelled permanently. To return to work in Saudi Arabia, you need a completely new work visa sponsored by a new employer. Tourist visas are available separately and do not require employer sponsorship.
What happens if I miss my flight and my Final Exit expires?
Contact your employer immediately to reissue the Final Exit. While it is expired, you are technically in an irregular status and accumulating fines. Most employers will reissue without issue if it is a genuine situation.
Do I need to physically go to the Jawazat office for Final Exit?
No. The entire Final Exit process is done electronically through Absher Business by your employer. You only need to show up at the airport on your departure date. The immigration system processes everything automatically.
My employer paid my EOSB but less than what I calculated. Should I still take Final Exit?
This is a personal decision but here is the practical reality: once you leave Saudi Arabia, filing a claim against your employer from abroad is very difficult. If the difference is significant, consider filing a complaint at HRSD before accepting the Final Exit. If the amount is small, you may decide it is not worth delaying your departure.
Need Help With Your Final Exit?
Whether your employer is blocking your exit, underpaying your settlement, or you are unsure about your rights — book a personal consultation. I have guided hundreds of expats through this process based on 20 years of living and working in Saudi Arabia.