Islamabad, 12 Apr, 2025: In a firm and urgent message, Saudi Arabia warns Umrah pilgrims that staying in the Kingdom beyond their approved visa duration will invite serious legal consequences.
The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has clearly outlined April 29 as the final exit deadline for current Umrah pilgrims.
Any individual remaining in Saudi Arabia after this date will face severe penalties, including substantial fines, imprisonment, and eventual deportation.
As Saudi Arabia warns Umrah pilgrims, the directive comes ahead of the upcoming Hajj season, as the government ramps up security and logistical efforts for incoming worshippers.
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Authorities have grown increasingly concerned about the rising number of pilgrims overstaying their visas, a situation that adds unnecessary pressure on the Kingdom’s crowd control systems and overall safety management. Lt. Gen.
Mohammed Abdullah Al Bassami, Director of Public Security, emphasized the country’s zero-tolerance stance: “Security is a red line.
Our integrated systems are built to ensure the smooth movement and protection of pilgrims with full support from military, civil, and service departments.”
With the Kingdom deploying cutting-edge artificial intelligence to monitor and regulate pilgrim traffic, any unauthorized stays threaten the efficiency of these smart technologies.
Officials have stressed that overstaying violates the spirit of cooperation essential for safe and orderly pilgrimage management.
The Ministry of Interior has already initiated comprehensive inspection drives across various regions, resulting in the arrest of over 18,000 violators between March 27 and April 2. Of these, nearly 13,000 individuals were found guilty of breaking residency rules.
Legal authorities have detailed the penalties for such offenses:
- First violation: SAR 15,000 fine and deportation
- Second offense: SAR 25,000 fine, three months in jail, and deportation
- Third or repeated infractions: SAR 50,000 fine, up to six months’ imprisonment, and deportation
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Employers or citizens who accommodate or transport violators may also face harsh repercussions fines reaching SAR 100,000, potential jail time, vehicle confiscation, and in the case of expatriates, deportation.
Saudi Arabia’s enforcement of these measures underscores its commitment to preserving the safety, dignity, and organization of the pilgrimage process for all.
