Saudi: Up to SAR50,000 fine, 6 months in jail for visa overstayers

As the Hajj 2025 draws near, authorities in the kingdom have stressed the importance of adhering to regulations governing the pilgrimage

  • PUBLISHED: Tue 22 Apr 2025, 12:36 PM

As the Hajj 2025 season draws near, Saudi authorities have tightened the penalties on visa overstayers in the kingdom.

The Ministry of Interior said on April 23 that visa sponsors who do not who do not report when expatriate workers under their sponsorhip leave the country after their entry visas have expired will face a SAR50,000 fine in addition to up to 6 months in jail and deportation.

This ministry announced a similar penalty on April 22 for overstayers. According to the ministry, visitors who overstay their visa will face a SAR50,000 fine in addition to up to 6 months in jail and deportation.

In a statement carried by the Saudi Press Agency, it emphasised the importance of adhering to the regulations and guidelines governing Hajj and Umrah in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.