If you overstay in Saudi Arabia past the validity of your entry visa, the law treats this as a clearly defined violation with a pre-set fine schedule — the same decision that sets penalties for other violations such as working for one's own account without authorization. Knowing the exact numbers prevents surprises, and knowing your right to appeal could change the outcome of your case.
📊 The Fine Schedule by Number of Offenses
Ministerial Decision No. 3329 of 1435H, issued by the Ministry of Interior, sets the penalty for "an expatriate's delay in departing after the expiry of the entry visa granted to him" as follows:
A fine of 15,000 SAR, and deportation.
A fine of 25,000 SAR, three months' imprisonment, and deportation.
A fine of 50,000 SAR, six months' imprisonment, and deportation.
👥 An Important Note on Multiple People
The decision explicitly states that fines "multiply with the number of persons" — meaning the fine is calculated per violating individual, not as a single fine split among a group. The law also does not permit releasing a violator on bail after being detained for one of these violations.
✅ Your Right to Appeal the Decision
The decision itself grants you an important procedural right: whoever a decision is issued against may appeal it within a period not exceeding thirty working days from the date they were notified of, or became aware of, the decision. The appeal is submitted to a standing committee formed at the Ministry's headquarters, chaired by the Director General of Legal Affairs, with representatives from Public Security and the General Directorate of Passports.
Many workers assume a fine or deportation decision is final and cannot be reviewed. This is not true: if there is a circumstance justifying the delay (your employer delaying your exit procedures, a medical emergency, or an administrative error), an appeal filed within the legal deadline could change the decision or reduce its impact.
✅ What should you do now?
- Track your visa expiry date precisely via the Absher platform — do not rely on rough estimates.
- If the delay was due to circumstances beyond your control (employer, medical situation), document this immediately with paperwork and dates.
- If a decision is issued against you, remember you only have 30 working days to file an appeal — do not miss this deadline.
- Use Sanad to understand whether your case merits an appeal and how to draft it correctly.
- Ministerial Decision No. 3329 dated 8/6/1435H — Penalties for Violators of the Rules for Dealing with Expatriates, Ministry of Interior
- Rules for Dealing with Expatriate Violators — Royal Decree No. M/24 of 1434H