GCC Private Cars Capped at 90 Days in Saudi Arabia

Saudi authorities have introduced a new cap limiting how long privately owned vehicles registered in other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states may remain in the Kingdom. From 26 August 2026, such vehicles may stay for a maximum of 90 days within any rolling 365-day period, whether the days are used consecutively or split across several visits.

The 365-day window is counted from the date the vehicle first enters Saudi Arabia through a customs port, with all days of presence added together against the 90-day limit. The rule applies to any GCC-registered private vehicle owned by a Saudi citizen, a resident, or driven by an authorised driver inside the Kingdom. Rental vehicles from licensed rental companies in GCC countries are exempt.

Extensions and penalties

The cap is treated as a traffic and administrative regulation. Keeping a GCC-registered vehicle in the country beyond 90 days without an approved extension is considered a violation subject to penalties under Saudi traffic rules. Owners or authorised drivers may apply to the Ministry of Interior for an extension before the initial 90 days expire; up to 30 additional days may be granted, counted from the end of the original permitted stay. Requests are reviewed case by case and must meet the ministry's documentary and procedural requirements.

Vehicles already in the Kingdom before enforcement begins receive a 90-day grace period, running from 26 August until 23 November 2026 in the published implementation example, to either exit the country or be permanently imported and registered on Saudi plates. Permanent import requires completing customs procedures and registering for Saudi licence plates; once on Saudi plates, the 90-day cap no longer applies.

The regulation is limited to private vehicles and does not change the separate rules governing commercial cargo or transport vehicles, which remain under their own customs and transport regimes. Residents and visitors who regularly bring GCC-plated cars into the Kingdom should track their cumulative days carefully and plan any extension request in advance to avoid penalties.

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