New rules are being introduced around GCC vehicles in Saudi Arabia. From Wednesday, 26 August, drivers bringing privately owned vehicles registered in other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries into the Kingdom will need to keep a new 90-day stay limit in mind.
The updated rules were announced by the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority in coordination with the Ministry of Interior’s General Directorate of Traffic. They apply to GCC-registered vehicles owned by Saudi citizens and non-GCC residents in the country, as well as vehicles the individuals are officially authorised to drive.
The 90-day allowance can be used continuously or across multiple visits within a period of 365 days. The clock begins when the vehicle first enters Saudi Arabia through a customs port.
What Happens to Vehicles Already in Saudi Arabia?
There is a transition period for GCC-registered vehicles that are already in the Kingdom when the new rules take effect. Owners and authorised drivers will have until Monday, 23 November 2026 to regularise their vehicle’s status.
They can either take the vehicle out of Saudi Arabia before the grace period ends or choose to permanently import and register it in the Kingdom, allowing them to obtain Saudi licence plates.
For those opting for permanent registration, a customs broker can handle the declaration electronically through the Fasah platform. Applicable customs duties and taxes will need to be paid, but owners will not need to return to the border crossing where the vehicle originally entered the Kingdom.
Extensions Will Be Available
Drivers who need additional time can apply for an extension before their initial 90-day allowance expires. Extensions can be granted for up to 30 days, with the additional period calculated from the end of the original permitted stay. The service will be available via the Absher platform in coordination with the General Directorate of Traffic.
For anyone regularly bringing GCC vehicles in Saudi Arabia, keeping track of entry dates will therefore be important under the new system.
Vehicles that remain beyond the allowed period may be subject to fines between SAR 1,000 and SAR 2,000 and could even be impounded until the issue is resolved. Any associated towing, storage and other costs would also be the responsibility of the owner or authorised driver.
The updated procedures are intended to provide a clearer framework for GCC-registered vehicles staying in Saudi Arabia for longer periods. They offer owners defined options for extending their stay or completing permanent registration.
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