Saudi Arabia Enforces Stricter Penalties for Visa Violations and Unauthorized Entry into Makkah

Saudi Arabia has stepped up enforcement of visa regulations, announcing strict penalties for sponsors and expatriates who violate entry and residency rules, particularly ahead of the Hajj season.

The Ministry of Interior announced on Tuesday that sponsors who fail to report the departure of expatriate workers under their sponsorship after the expiration of their entry visas will face severe consequences. Offenders may be fined up to SR50,000 and imprisoned for up to six months. In cases where the sponsor is a foreign national, they will also be deported following the completion of the jail term and payment of the fine, according to a report by the Saudi Gazette.

A similar penalty applies to expatriates who remain in the Kingdom after their entry visas have expired. They too could be fined up to SR50,000, face six months in jail, and be subject to deportation.

These announcements follow an earlier measure by the Ministry imposing fines of up to SR100,000 on Hajj and Umrah service providers who fail to report pilgrims who overstay their visas.

In a related development, the Directorate of Public Security confirmed that starting Wednesday, April 23, expatriates without official permits are banned from entering the holy city of Makkah. The regulation is part of broader efforts to manage the influx of pilgrims and ensure safety and organization during the upcoming Hajj season.

Only residents holding a work permit or iqama issued in Makkah, or those with valid Hajj permits, are exempt from the restriction. All others attempting to enter Makkah will be stopped at security checkpoints surrounding the city and turned back.

Permits for entry during the Hajj season must be secured electronically through platforms such as “Absher Individuals” and “Muqeem,” in coordination with the unified Hajj permit portal, “Tasreeh.”

The Ministry of Interior reiterated its warning that, beginning April 29, no individuals holding regular visa types—aside from the Hajj visa—will be permitted to enter or remain in Makkah. Authorities emphasized that the move aims to support security efforts and facilitate the smooth movement of registered pilgrims.

These enforcement measures reflect the Kingdom’s ongoing efforts to regulate visa compliance and manage the logistics surrounding one of the world’s largest annual religious gatherings.