Saudi Arabia has declared harsh punishments for Hajj season visa overstayers, threatening that violators will be punished by a SR50,000 penalty, jail for up to six months, and deportation with a ban on re-entry.
The Ministry of Interior stressed that the steps are part of a larger effort to ensure security and order during the highly sensitive pilgrimage period. Authorities called on visitors and pilgrims to abide by visa rules and cautioned against exploiting pilgrimage visas for other purposes.
The ministry also carries out inspections and uses technology to track entry and exit records more efficiently. Residents and citizens are urged to report infractions, with authorities vowing strict enforcement and zero tolerance.
The announcement comes as Saudi Arabia gears up for one of the world’s biggest annual religious events, looking to provide a smooth and safe Hajj for all pilgrims.
