GCC Cars Get 90-Day Stay Limit in Saudi Arabia

A new rule sets a 90-day annual stay limit for privately owned, GCC-registered vehicles entering Saudi Arabia, taking effect on 26 August 2026. Under the measure, such vehicles may remain in the Kingdom for a maximum of 90 days within any 365-day period, counted from the date of first entry through a Saudi customs port. The days may be consecutive or split across several trips, with all days added up inside the same 12-month window.

The rule applies to vehicles registered in another Gulf state that are owned by Saudi citizens or residents, or driven by someone officially authorised, including under a power of attorney. Vehicles rented from licensed rental companies in GCC countries are exempt from the 90-day limit.

Extension and grace period

Drivers may request a single extension of up to 30 days beyond the initial 90 days, but the request must be submitted before the 90-day period ends. Extension requests go to the Ministry of Interior and are approved case by case, with the mechanism being integrated into the أبشر portal for submission and tracking. Vehicles already inside the Kingdom before 26 August 2026 receive a corrective grace period from 26 August to 23 November 2026 to regularise their status by exiting, extending, or permanently registering.

Overstaying beyond the permitted period is treated as a traffic violation, with fines ranging from SAR 1,000 to SAR 2,000, and vehicles may be impounded until the issue is resolved. Enforcement relies on entry and exit data shared with the Ministry of Interior, so drivers are urged to record vehicle details correctly at border crossings.

The change matters for many Gulf residents who regularly drive their own cars into the Kingdom for work, family visits or extended stays. Planning trips around the 90-day yearly cap, and using the extension or registration options in time, will help drivers avoid fines and impoundment.

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