Saudi Arabia has intensified enforcement against visa overstays as the 1448 AH Umrah season gathers pace, confirming fines of up to SR100,000 for Hajj and Umrah service companies that fail to report pilgrims who remain in the Kingdom beyond their authorised period of stay. The measures, announced by Public Security, form part of a wider drive to protect the integrity of the pilgrimage system and ensure that every visitor departs on time.

Fines for service companies

According to Public Security, the penalty applies to Hajj and Umrah companies and establishments that delay notifying the competent authorities of any pilgrim who overstays an authorised visit. The financial penalty can reach SR100,000 and rises according to the number of overstayers who are not reported.

The authority urged members of the public to report violations of residency, labour and border security regulations by calling 911 in Makkah, Madinah, Riyadh and the Eastern Province, or 999 in the rest of the Kingdom. It added that all reports are handled with complete confidentiality and that informants bear no legal liability.

The move places clear responsibility on licensed operators. Companies that arrange accommodation, transport and permits for Umrah performers are now expected to track their clients throughout the visit and to flag anyone who does not leave when their stay ends.

Penalties for individual pilgrims

The enforcement drive is not limited to firms. The Ministry of Interior has warned that expatriates and visitors who overstay their entry visas face fines of up to SR50,000, imprisonment for up to six months, deportation and potential re-entry bans, depending on the offence.

The ministry said the measures are designed to strengthen compliance with residency rules, prevent the misuse of entry visas and ensure visitors do not exceed their authorised stay. The warnings accompany sustained nationwide enforcement campaigns. In a single week between 2 and 8 July, authorities reported arresting more than 15,400 people for residency, labour and border security offences, including 7,913 residency violators.

Officials also stressed that facilitating the illegal entry, transport, employment or sheltering of violators is treated as a major offence, punishable by up to 15 years in prison, fines of up to SR1 million, and the confiscation of vehicles or property used in the crime.

Why the 30-day rule matters

The renewed warnings arrive alongside tighter visa conditions for the current season. Under the 1448 AH framework, an Umrah visa is automatically cancelled if the pilgrim does not enter the Kingdom within 30 days of its issuance, a reduction from the previous three-month window. Pilgrims must also confirm hotel and transport bookings through the Nusuk platform before a visa is issued.

Taken together, the rules signal a system that is more tightly monitored from the moment a visa is granted to the moment a pilgrim departs. For the overwhelming majority who arrive, perform their rites and leave on schedule, the changes have little practical effect. For those who linger past their permitted stay, the financial and legal consequences are now considerable.

Practical tips for pilgrims

  • Know your exit date. Confirm the exact expiry of your visa and stay, and plan your departure flight comfortably before it.
  • Book only through licensed operators. Use companies registered on Nusuk so your accommodation, transport and permits are properly logged.
  • Keep documents accessible. Retain your visa, entry stamp and booking confirmations throughout your visit in case you are asked to present them.
  • Do not rely on informal extensions. There is no casual grace period; overstaying is a legal violation with escalating penalties.
  • Report problems early. If travel is disrupted and you may miss your departure, contact your operator and the authorities before your stay lapses.

The Kingdom has framed the crackdown as part of its long-term effort to raise service standards and safeguard the rights of pilgrims. Clear rules, consistently enforced, are intended to keep the pilgrimage orderly for the millions who travel to Makkah and Madinah each year.