Saudi Arabia Announces Visa Deadline for Umrah Pilgrims, Mentions What It Will Do To Violators

• Saudi Arabia warns Umrah pilgrims that overstaying visas after April 29 will result in fines, imprisonment, or deportation as part of preparations for Hajj season
• Authorities emphasise that violating visa rules compromises security and crowd management efforts, with AI-driven systems playing a key role in pilgrim safety
• First-time offenders face fines of SAR 15,000 and deportation, while repeat violators may incur heavier fines, imprisonment, and the seizure of assets

Saudi Arabia has issued a stern warning to Umrah pilgrims, stating that anyone who overstays their visa beyond the set deadline of April 29 will face deportation or imprisonment.

The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah confirmed that the final date for all Umrah pilgrims to depart the Kingdom is April 29, after which violations will be treated as a legal offence, with severe penalties, including hefty fines, jail time, and deportation.

This decision is part of broader preparations for the upcoming Hajj season, amidst growing concerns about some visitors attempting to overstay their pilgrimage visas, Gulf News reported.

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Lieutenant General Mohammed Abdullah Al Bassami, Director of Public Security, said:

“Security is a red line. The systems in place are designed to protect the safety and dignity of the guests of God and to ensure the efficiency of crowd management plans in collaboration with security, military, and service agencies."

Ensuring Security and Logistical Integrity

Saudi authorities have been emphasising the need to uphold the integrity of pilgrimage regulations.

Overstaying or attempting to bypass visa rules can compromise both the Kingdom's logistical operations and security efforts.

With millions of pilgrims arriving annually, the Kingdom relies on advanced artificial intelligence (AI) to manage the flow of people at holy sites, particularly at the Grand Mosque in Mecca.

AI-powered crowd management systems monitor the movement of pilgrims in real-time, directing movement and preventing overcrowding. These technologies ensure that the pilgrimage experience remains safe and orderly.

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“Every effort is centred on the human being—the pilgrim. When individuals violate the rules, they threaten the precision and safety of a deeply interconnected system,” explained Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Adel Zamzami, a security expert.

The violation of residency laws or exceeding national quotas can disrupt this delicate system, Saudi officials warned, Punch reported.

Severe Penalties for Violators

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Interior has already initiated field campaigns across the Kingdom to apprehend violators.

Between March 27 and April 2, more than 18,400 individuals were detained for breaching residency, labour, and border laws. Of these, over 12,995 were caught violating residency laws, and more than 3,500 were arrested for attempting to cross borders illegally.

Legal advisor Ahmad Al Maliki while outlining the penalties for violators. said:

"First-time offenders who overstay will face a fine of SAR 15,000 (approximately $4,000) and immediate deportation.

"A second offence could result in a SAR 25,000 fine, three months of imprisonment, and deportation."

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Governor approves N2.1 billion subsidy for intending pilgrims

Legit.ng had earlier reported that the governor of Bauchi state, Bala Mohammed, had approved N2.1 billion as a 2024 Hajj fare subsidy.

This came after NAHCON increased the 2024 Hajj fare by N1.9 million, and many intending pilgrims who were unable to meet with new payment deadline demanded a refund of their money.

Following Bala's move, the state’s 2,290 intending pilgrims will now receive a subsidy of N959,000, amounting to 50 per cent of the increment by the Muslim body.

Source: Legit.ng