Stringent measures part of broader efforts to ensure order during Hajj pilgrimage period
Dubai: The Saudi Ministry of Interior has reiterated its stringent penalties for expatriates who overstay their entry visas, as the Kingdom intensifies efforts to regulate the flow of visitors ahead of the upcoming Hajj season.
Under current regulations, expatriates who remain in the Kingdom after their entry visas have expired face severe penalties, including fines of up to SR50,000, imprisonment for a period of up to six months and deportation after serving the jail term.
The ministry restated that holders of visit visas are not entitled to perform Hajj, urging all expatriates and visitors to strictly comply with the terms of their visas and ensure timely departure from the country to avoid legal consequences.
This renewed warning comes as Saudi Arabia recently introduced a series of measures to streamline the Hajj season and maintain security and order during one of the world’s largest annual religious gatherings.
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Among the latest measures:
- Permit requirements for Mecca entry: Effective April 23, 2025, residents and citizens must obtain official permits to enter Mecca. Entry is only restricted to those with valid work permits at the holy sites, proof of residency in Mecca, or official Hajj permits.
- Umrah visa regulations: The final date for Umrah visa holders to enter Saudi Arabia was April 13, 2025. All Umrah pilgrims must exit the country by April 29, 2025, to avoid legal consequences.
- Penalties for service providers: Hajj and Umrah service companies failing to report pilgrims who overstay their visas may incur fines up to SR 100,000, which can multiply depending on the number of violations.
Authorities emphasised that these measures are part of an ongoing national strategy to regulate the flow of visitors, uphold public safety and preserve the sanctity of the holy sites during the Hajj pilgrimage.
