Saudi Arabia has reiterated that fines of up to 100,000 Saudi riyals will be imposed on Hajj and Umrah service companies that fail to report pilgrims who overstay their authorised period in the Kingdom. The warning was issued by Public Security, which oversees enforcement of residency and border regulations.
The authority said the penalty applies to Hajj and Umrah service companies and establishments that delay notifying the competent authorities about any pilgrim or Umrah performer who remains in the Kingdom after the expiry of their permitted stay. The reminder places clear legal responsibility on operators, not just on individual travellers.
How the penalty works
Public Security said the financial penalty could reach 100,000 riyals and would increase according to the number of unreported overstayers. In other words, a company that fails to report multiple pilgrims faces a rising scale of fines rather than a single fixed amount. The measure is designed to push operators to monitor their clients and flag anyone who does not leave on time.
The rule sits alongside separate penalties aimed at individuals. Saudi authorities have previously warned that people who overstay visas can face fines, jail and deportation, and that those who perform Hajj without a permit risk fines, deportation and multi-year re-entry bans. The latest reminder targets the businesses that bring pilgrims into the country.
A push against overstaying
Overstaying has long been a concern around the Hajj and Umrah seasons, when large numbers of visitors arrive on time-limited permits. By holding companies accountable for reporting, the Kingdom aims to reduce the number of people who remain in Saudi Arabia illegally after their pilgrimage ends. The approach shifts part of the compliance burden onto licensed operators, who have direct contact with pilgrims and their travel records.
Public Security urged members of the public to report violations of residency, labour and border security regulations by calling 911 in Makkah, Madinah, Riyadh and the Eastern Province, or 999 in the rest of the Kingdom. It added that all reports would be treated with complete confidentiality and that informants would bear no legal liability.
What it means for pilgrims
For ordinary pilgrims travelling with a licensed operator, the rule reinforces the importance of respecting visa validity and departure dates. Umrah visas are now cancelled automatically if the holder does not enter the Kingdom within 30 days of issuance, and pilgrims are expected to leave before their permitted stay expires. Travellers should keep track of their own entry and exit dates rather than relying solely on their operator.
Practical tips
Pilgrims should confirm the exact expiry date of their visa and permitted stay before travelling, and plan return flights comfortably ahead of that date. Choosing a properly licensed Hajj or Umrah operator matters more than ever, since unlicensed arrangements offer no protection and expose travellers to penalties. Keep digital and paper copies of visa and entry records, and contact your operator immediately if travel disruptions threaten your departure date so that any extension can be handled through official channels. Never overstay in the hope of extra time in the holy cities, as the consequences include fines, deportation and re-entry bans.