Saudi to Fine Hajj Firms N36m for Unreported Overstayers
By Abdulrazaq Auwal
Saudi Arabia has announced stringent penalties for Hajj and Umrah service providers, warning that companies that fail to report pilgrims who overstay their visas could face fines of up to N36 million (SR100,000).
The new enforcement measure, introduced by the Saudi Ministry of Interior, is aimed at strengthening border security, curbing residency violations and ensuring effective management of visitors during the Hajj and Umrah seasons.
Under the regulations, licensed Hajj and Umrah companies are required to closely monitor pilgrims under their care and promptly notify the authorities if any visitor remains in the Kingdom beyond the validity of their visa.
The ministry said the financial penalty applies to every case of non-reporting and increases according to the number of overstayers linked to a service provider. Companies that fail to report multiple visa violators could therefore face significantly higher fines.
Saudi authorities stressed that Hajj and Umrah operators bear legal responsibility for ensuring pilgrims depart the Kingdom before the expiration of their authorised stay.
The ministry also reiterated tough sanctions against individual pilgrims who violate immigration laws or attempt to enter the holy sites without the required permits.
Saudi to Fine Hajj Firms N36m for Unreported Overstayers
According to the regulations, offenders may be fined up to SR50,000, sentenced to as much as six months’ imprisonment, deported after serving their sentence and barred from re-entering Saudi Arabia for 10 years.
Authorities urged all Hajj and Umrah companies to strengthen their monitoring systems and comply fully with visa regulations to avoid legal consequences.
The ministry further called on members of the public to report any residency, labour or border security violations through designated emergency communication channels.
It assured residents and visitors that all reports would be handled with strict confidentiality, emphasising that public cooperation remains vital to enforcing immigration laws and safeguarding the integrity of the Kingdom’s pilgrimage system.
The latest measure forms part of Saudi Arabia’s ongoing efforts to tighten compliance with Hajj and Umrah regulations and ensure the orderly management of millions of pilgrims visiting the Kingdom each year.
