Saudi Arabia has issued a stern warning to Umrah pilgrims who overstay their visas, announcing that those remaining in the Kingdom beyond April 29 will face strict legal action, including heavy fines, imprisonment, and deportation.
The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah confirmed that April 29 is the final deadline for all current Umrah pilgrims to depart the country. Staying beyond this date will be treated as a legal violation, as authorities intensify preparations for the upcoming Hajj season.
The crackdown follows rising concerns over individuals attempting to overstay their pilgrimage visas, a practice that puts strain on security, logistics, and crowd control systems.
“Security is a red line,” emphasized Lt. Gen. Mohammed Abdullah Al Bassami, Director of Public Security. “Our systems are built to safeguard the pilgrims and ensure seamless crowd management in collaboration with security, military, and service entities.”
Saudi officials reiterated the importance of respecting pilgrimage regulations, warning that overstaying not only disrupts carefully coordinated plans but also endangers public safety. The Kingdom’s advanced artificial intelligence systems play a central role in managing the movement of millions of pilgrims through Mecca’s holy sites, and violations threaten the stability of this high-tech ecosystem.
Security expert Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Adel Zamzami noted that Saudi Arabia’s integration of smart city technology places it at the forefront of global pilgrimage management. “When rules are violated, it risks the safety of a system built with the pilgrim at its core,” he said.
ALSO READ
Saudi Arabia Announces Deadline for Return of Umrah Pilgrims
In a coordinated effort to curb violations, the Ministry of Interior has launched joint field campaigns across the country. Between March 27 and April 2, authorities apprehended over 18,400 individuals for violations of residency, labor, and border laws. Of those, nearly 13,000 were found to be in breach of residency regulations.
Legal advisor Ahmad Al Maliki outlined the penalties for overstaying:
First offense: SAR 15,000 ($4,000) fine and deportation.
Second offense: SAR 25,000 fine, three-month imprisonment, and deportation.
Third offense or repeat violations: SAR 50,000 fine, up to six months in prison, and deportation.
Companies or individuals who shelter, employ, or transport visa violators also face serious consequences, including fines of up to SAR 100,000, imprisonment, vehicle seizure, and deportation of foreign accomplices.
ALSO READ
Saudi Arabia Limits Multiple-Entry Visas for Pakistanis and 13 Other Nationalities
Pilgrimage service providers who fail to report delayed departures will be penalized as well, with escalating fines:
SAR 25,000 for the first offense
SAR 50,000 for the second
SAR 100,000 for repeat violations
Lt. Gen. Al Bassami emphasized that the safety of pilgrims is a sacred duty, and any attempts to undermine the sanctity and security of the pilgrimage system will be met with firm action.
Follow ProPakistani on Google News & scroll through your favourite content faster!
Support independent journalism
If you want to join us in our mission to share independent, global journalism to the world, we’d love to have you on our side. If you can, please support us on a monthly basis. It takes less than a minute to set up, and you can rest assured that you’re making a big impact every single month in support of open, independent journalism. Thank you.
