Mark353

Hi I hope someone can help.

I arrived in Saudi on 3rd July using a two year 30 day working visit visa. My question is does the 30 days visit duration include my exit day as some websites say that it doesn't but hey this is Saudi so normal rules might no apply.

I am planning to leave on 2nd August so counting my arrival day as the first day 2nd August is the 31st day.

Many thanks in advance

Mark

scot47

They do not use the Western Calendar. Try the Hegira calendar (ie lunar) the first thing you need is a dual calendar that you can use to convert dates back and forward.

Who is responsible in Saudi for your paperwork ? Speak to them.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islamic_calendar

Mark353

Thanks for your reply but I don't think that using the Muslim calendar has any impact on the length of a stay.

It is still 30 days whether or not they are counted on the Muslim or Gregorian calendar. My proposed leaving day is on the 31st day since my arrival however some sources say this isn't counted. The Government Relations team in my company are worse than useless, I asked three of them and received three different answers

Reality is I probably will do a mid term visa run anyway as I don't fancy the 10,000 SAR fine but was wondering if I could.

scot47

Just be careful that you do not fall into the trap of thinking you can use the Western calendar ! I had friends who had been in KSA for years who never understood that an exit visa might be valid for 6 months - but that was 6 LUNAR months.

It was the same ones who often fell into the trap of forgetting to cancel an exit visa if they were not going to use it.

sicklyman

Er... last time I checked a day was 24 hours in both calendars. Not much anyone can do about that!

Months though, well that's a different issue.

Don't mess with this and cut it so fine. The consequences would not be pleasant and no one who gives you information will be reliable or will be accountable if they are wrong. Not worth it.

NorthernLad

Can your HR dept not help?

I used to have a guy who worked for me in KSA who said there is some online system the HR team can check with.

scot47

24 hours ? Well yes, but when does the new days begin ? An Islamic Date changes at Maghreb Paryer whereas the modern convention for the Western Calendar is that the new date kicks in at midnight !

sicklyman

don't worry scot47, no one's questioning the value of your vast knowledge of Middle Eastern culture and anthropology.

How's that revision of Burton's 1001 nights coming on?

scot47

I am testing some of Burton's theories about bonking.

nonthaburi

Yeah, it's called Absher(the online system). The OP might not be in the system to use it to find out though as he's not a resident.

nonthaburi

Months have nothing to do with it these days. Your exit visa is valid for a number of days. You pay accordingly.

scot47

Right - that is more sensible nthan the old system. But do treat the Jawazat with respect. They bre not tro be messed with. Your Saudi company should have someone in HR who deals with them.

FriendlyExpat

Were you OK leaving on 2 August? We've always worked on the following basis:

- count your arrival day as "day 1", the next day as "day 2" and so on.
- count to "day 30" using a calendar, and leave by 11.59pm on the immediately preceding day.

That's the most conservative approach. But if it's possible to leave ON day 30 and not count the arrival day, that would be helpful info.