Overstaying your Saudi visa could result in a major fine and more
The penalties were announced yesterday…
With Hajj 2025 nearly upon us, major rule changes have been announced for visa holders travelling to the Kingdom. Failure to abide by the new Saudi visa rules will result in several penalties.
Visa holders who fail to leave the Kingdom after their visas expire face heavy penalties, including up to SR50,000 in fines (about USD13,000), imprisonment for up to six months, and/or deportation, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
بدء تنفيذ الترتيبات والإجراءات المنظمة للحج بحصول المقيمين على تصريح للدخول إلى مدينة مكة المكرمة.#لا_حج_بلا_تصريح pic.twitter.com/gIEME49215
— وزارة الداخلية 🇸🇦 (@MOISaudiArabia) April 22, 2025
The government has appealed to citizens and residents to ensure that their guests who arrived on visit or Umrah visas abide by the regulations, according to Arab News.
This comes after the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia announced a temporary ban on issuing new short-term visas for citizens of 14 countries to control and regulate travel traffic ahead of the upcoming Hajj Season.
This includes business visit visas (both single- and multiple-entry), e-tourist visas, and family visit visas, according to Gulf News. The ban began on Sunday April 13.
Countries include India, Egypt, Pakistan, Yemen, Tunisia, Morocco, Jordan, Nigeria, Algeria, Indonesia, Iraq, Sudan, Bangladesh, and Libya. Travellers from these countries who currently hold valid visas must exit by April 29.
On X (formerly Twitter), the ministry stated, “Visas of all types — with the exception of the Hajj visa — do not entitle their holder to perform the Hajj pilgrimage.”
Starting tomorrow, residents within the Kingdom wishing to enter Makkah will be required to obtain permits from the relevant authorities. Residents without proper permits will be barred from entering the city of Makkah and will be returned to their original destination. Exemptions apply to residents who hold a work permit in the Holy Sites issued by the relevant authority, those holding a resident ID issued by the city of Makkah, or those with valid Hajj permits.
Visit: @MOISaudiArabia