Saudi Arabia warns of heavy penalties for overstaying visas ahead of Hajj
The Saudi
Ministry of Interior
has issued a warning to all expatriates and visitors, stating that those who overstay their visas during the
Hajj
season will face strict legal consequences. The announcement comes as part of wider efforts to manage the flow of pilgrims and maintain order during the upcoming Hajj period.
Under the new enforcement guidelines, violators may be fined up to $13,000, face imprisonment for up to six months, and be deported after serving their sentence. The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has instructed all Umrah visa holders to exit Mecca by April 29 to avoid penalties.
The ministry has also reminded the public that visit visa holders are not allowed to perform Hajj. It urged all visitors to respect the terms of their entry permits and to leave the country on time.
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To support crowd management and security during Hajj, authorities have implemented several regulations. From April 23, only individuals with valid permits will be allowed to enter Mecca. These include Mecca residents with documented proof, workers assigned to the holy sites, and individuals holding official Hajj permits.
(Join our
ETNRI WhatsApp channel
for all the latest updates)
The final entry date for Umrah pilgrims was April 13. All Umrah visa holders must leave
Saudi Arabia
by April 29.
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According to the official statement by SPA, 'The Ministry of Interior has announced that expatriates who fail to leave the Kingdom after their entry visas expire may face a fine of up to SAR50,000, imprisonment for up to six months, and deportation.'
Hajj and Umrah service companies are also under scrutiny. If they fail to report pilgrims who violate their visa terms, they may face fines up to $26,659. The penalty may increase based on the number of violations recorded.
Hajj is a major annual religious event in Islam, mandatory once in a lifetime for Muslims who are physically and financially capable. This year, Hajj is expected to begin on the evening of Friday, June 6, and end on Wednesday, June 11.
Eid al-Adha, which marks the end of Hajj, is anticipated to start on Sunday, June 8, subject to the sighting of the moon. The festival is observed by Muslims globally.
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