Saudi to punish those who help Umrah pilgrims overstay after expiry of visa
- By Web Desk -
- May 18, 2016
Authorities said those flouting the law will be jailed for six months, and a fine of 100,000 (Saudi riyal) will be imposed along with deportation if they are expatriates, the Saudi Directorate General of Passports (Jawazat) said.
The directorate urged all Umrah pilgrims to leave the Kingdom before the expiry of their visas.
Read more: Saudi plans to convert umrah visas into tourist visas
“If any one of them overstays their visas, they will be jailed for six months and fined SR 50,000,” the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Saudis and expatriates have been urged not to provide transportation, jobs, shelter or any other assistance to those overstaying their Umrah visas. Penalties will be multiplied with the number of illegal pilgrims whom they helped, the Directorate said.
They urged companies providing Umrah packages to inform the agencies concerned about delays in the departure of any pilgrim entering the country through them.