Dubai: Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Interior has announced measures to address the status of holders of expired visit visas, Umrah visas, transit visas, and final exit permits, following disruptions that prevented their timely departure amid ongoing regional conditions.

The new measures apply to visas that expired from February 26, 2026, and offer two options for affected individuals.

Under the first option, expired visas can be extended upon request by the host until April 18, 2026, with applicable fees payable through the Absher platform. Alternatively, visa holders may depart directly via international ports without extending their visas or paying any overstay fines.

The ministry said the steps are intended to facilitate travel procedures for visitors and residents while ensuring regulatory compliance and smooth operations at the Kingdom’s borders.

Meanwhile, India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) reported that 1,043 Indian nationals, including 717 students, have returned from Iran with the assistance of the Indian mission in Tehran.

At an inter-ministerial briefing on the West Asia situation, Aseem R Mahajan, Additional Secretary (Gulf), MEA, said flight operations continue to improve, with around 4.26 lakh passengers returning to India since February 28.

“During this period, a total of 2,149 flights, including scheduled and non-scheduled flights of Indian as well as foreign carriers, have operated from the region to India,” he said.

Mahajan added that the MEA is closely monitoring developments in the Gulf and West Asia, prioritising the safety, security, and well-being of the large Indian community in the region.