In a firm move to tighten border control and uphold pilgrimage regulations, Saudi authorities have laid down a harsh new warning for expatriates: overstay your visa, and you might end up behind bars, heavily fined, and swiftly deported.
The Ministry of Interior has declared that any expat who remains in the Kingdom after their entry visa expires — regardless of the visa type — faces up to six months in jail and a fine of up to SR50,000. Once the punishment is served, deportation is the final chapter.
This strict stance applies to all entry visa categories except the official Hajj visa. The ministry made it clear: no loopholes, no excuses — just holding a visit, work, tourist, or business visa does not grant the right to join the Hajj pilgrimage. Only those with a designated Hajj visa are permitted to participate.
Officials are also calling on the public to act as watchdogs, encouraging residents to report any violations of Hajj regulations. In Makkah, Riyadh, and the Eastern Province, the hotline is 911. Elsewhere, it’s 999.
And the crackdown doesn’t stop with individuals. Service providers are also in the crosshairs. Companies offering Hajj and Umrah services that fail to report overstaying pilgrims could be slapped with penalties of up to SR100,000.
The message is clear: in Saudi Arabia, visa rules aren’t just guidelines — they’re law, and breaking them comes at a steep price.
