GCC Vehicles in Saudi Arabia: New 90-Day Rule Starts August 26

Saudi Arabia introduces new rules for GCC-registered vehicles from August 26, including a 90-day stay limit, extensions and fines up to SAR 2,000.

Saudi Arabia will introduce new rules governing vehicles registered in other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries from August 26, 2026.

The new procedures, issued in coordination between the Ministry of Interior and the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA), regulate how long GCC-registered private vehicles can remain in Saudi Arabia and how their status can be regularized.

Vehicles that were already in Saudi Arabia before the new rules take effect will be given a 90-day grace period, from August 26 until November 23, 2026, to correct their status.

The rules apply to private vehicles registered in another GCC country and owned or used by Saudi citizens, residents, including Premium Residency holders, or individuals legally authorized by them to drive the vehicle into the Kingdom.

Under the new rules, a GCC-registered vehicle can remain in Saudi Arabia for a maximum of 90 days, consecutive or non-consecutive, within a 365-day period calculated from the date of entry through a customs port.

What should owners do during the grace period?

Owners or authorized drivers of affected vehicles already in Saudi Arabia can either take the vehicle out of the Kingdom before the grace period expires or complete the procedures to register it in Saudi Arabia and obtain Saudi licence plates.

Those wishing to register their vehicle in Saudi Arabia can authorize a customs broker to submit a customs declaration through the nearest border port. They must then meet the applicable requirements and pay the required customs duties and taxes.

Importantly, owners do not need to return to the same border crossing through which the vehicle originally entered Saudi Arabia to complete the registration procedures.

Customs authorities will record the details of GCC-registered vehicles, their owners or authorized drivers when they enter and leave Saudi Arabia. This will allow authorities to track the permitted period of stay.

Up to 30 additional days through Absher

Vehicle owners or authorized drivers can also apply for an extension of up to 30 additional days before the original permitted period expires.

The extension service will be available electronically through Absher. The vehicle’s registration and insurance must be valid for an extension request to be considered.

Applications submitted after the permitted period has expired will not be accepted.

SAR 1,000 to SAR 2,000 fine for overstaying

A GCC-registered vehicle that remains in Saudi Arabia beyond the permitted period may face a fine ranging from SAR 1,000 to SAR 2,000.

The vehicle may also be impounded until the violation is resolved. The owner or authorized driver will be responsible for towing, impoundment and other costs resulting from the violation.

If a vehicle has already exceeded its permitted stay, the violation can be resolved by registering the vehicle in Saudi Arabia according to the applicable procedures.

Alternatively, after paying the required fines and penalties, the owner or authorized driver can provide an undertaking to remove the vehicle from Saudi Arabia through the designated entry port in accordance with Ministry of Interior procedures.

The new procedures will take effect on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, while existing Saudi traffic laws and their implementing regulations will continue to apply.

GCC Vehicles in Saudi Arabia: New 90-Day Rule Starts August 26

What should owners do during the grace period?

Up to 30 additional days through Absher

SAR 1,000 to SAR 2,000 fine for overstaying

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