Saudi Arabia has warned Hajj and Umrah service companies that they face fines of up to 100,000 riyals if they fail to report pilgrims who remain in the Kingdom beyond their authorised period of stay. The reminder was issued by Public Security, which said the penalty targets operators that delay notifying the authorities about overstaying pilgrims.

The measure places the legal burden of monitoring visa compliance squarely on the licensed firms that sponsor and host pilgrims. According to Public Security, the fine can climb higher depending on how many unreported overstayers are linked to a single company.

What the penalty covers

Public Security said the sanction applies to Hajj and Umrah service companies and establishments that delay informing the competent authorities about any pilgrim or Umrah performer who stays past the expiry of their permitted period. The figure of 100,000 riyals is described as a ceiling that rises with the number of violations.

The announcement forms part of a broader crackdown on residency and labour breaches surrounding the pilgrimage seasons. Authorities have repeatedly stressed that overstaying is treated as a serious violation, both for the individual who remains unlawfully and for the businesses responsible for tracking their departure.

Public Security also encouraged members of the public to report violations of residency, labour and border security regulations. Reports can be made by calling 911 in Mecca, Medina, Riyadh and the Eastern Province, or 999 in the rest of the Kingdom. Officials added that all reports would be handled in complete confidence and that informants would carry no legal liability.

Part of a wider enforcement drive

The fine on service firms sits alongside a series of penalties aimed at pilgrims themselves. Saudi authorities have set fines of tens of thousands of riyals, alongside deportation and multi-year re-entry bans, for individuals who overstay visit or Umrah visas.

The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has also moved against underperforming operators. Earlier in the year the ministry suspended 21 Umrah service companies following performance evaluations from the previous season. According to the Saudi Press Agency, 15 of those firms were suspended for low performance scores under approved evaluation indicators, while six faced action for regulatory breaches requiring corrective measures.

The ministry said its assessment system is built on operational and supervisory benchmarks designed to measure service quality and compliance. It reaffirmed what it called zero tolerance for shortcomings that affect service standards or the rights of pilgrims, describing continuous evaluation as central to improving the sector under Saudi Vision 2030.

Why it matters for pilgrims

For pilgrims, the tightened rules reinforce a simple point: the authorised period of stay must be respected. The Umrah visa is now cancelled automatically if the holder does not enter the Kingdom within 30 days of issuance, and all Umrah performers must depart by the published deadline for the season.

The pressure on companies also has a practical upside for pilgrims. By holding operators accountable for reporting and for service quality, the ministry aims to weed out unreliable agents and reduce the risk of pilgrims being stranded, misled or left without the housing and transport they paid for.

Practical tips

  • Book only through licensed operators. Use companies authorised on the Nusuk platform, and keep records of your package, payments and permits.
  • Know your exit date. Confirm the final departure deadline for your visa and season, and plan your return flight well before it.
  • Do not overstay. Remaining beyond your authorised period risks heavy fines, deportation and a re-entry ban that can last years.
  • Keep documents accessible. Store digital copies of your passport, visa and permits in case you need to prove your status.

The message from Riyadh is consistent. As the Kingdom scales up to serve ever larger numbers of pilgrims, it is combining expanded access with stricter accountability for the businesses that operate within the Hajj and Umrah system.