17 May 2016

JEDDAH: The Passport Department has warned that pilgrims and visitors overstaying their visas could face fines up to SR50,000, six months in jail and deportation.

Any expatriate or citizen who transports, accommodates, harbors and employs a violator faces a fine of up to SR100,000 and six months in jail. Expatriates would be deported. Penalties would be multiplied for repeat offenses.

There would be a SR100,000 fine for a Haj and Umrah company that fails to report a violation, with a one-year jail sentence for the director of the firm, and a ban on hiring workers for five years.

The department said that pilgrims must make sure they leave the country because they have been provided an opportunity by Allah to perform Umrah.

© Arab News 2016