As the Hajj season approaches, Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Interior has issued a strict warning to all expatriates and visitors: do not overstay your visa.
The Kingdom will penalize violators with fines up to SR 50,000(Rs. 3,743,521) six months in jail, and deportation.
In an official statement, the ministry emphasized that all visitors must respect the terms of their visas and leave the country before their visas expire. It also clarified that individuals on visit visas are strictly prohibited from performing Hajj, a regulation in place to manage the large number of pilgrims and maintain public safety during the annual event.
The government is rolling out tighter controls starting today, April 23, 2025, to regulate access to the holy city of Mecca. Entry will be limited only to residents with local IDs, workers assigned to the holy sites, and pilgrims with valid Hajj permits.
Additionally, Umrah pilgrims must adhere to updated travel windows. All Umrah visa holders were required to arrive in Saudi Arabia by April 13 and must exit no later than April 29, 2025, which is next week.
Authorities have also shifted responsibility to service providers. Companies that fail to report overstaying pilgrims could be fined up to SR 100,000 (Rs. 7,487,043) with penalties increasing based on the number of violations.
The message is clear: Saudi Arabia is taking visa enforcement seriously, especially during this critical religious period. Visitors are urged to comply strictly with their visa terms to avoid severe consequences.