The General Directorate of Passports (Jawazat) has urged all foreigners who have arrived in Saudi Arabia on Umrah or visit visas to leave before the expiry of their visas. The Directorate warned that visitors who overstay their visas will be subject to punitive measures, which includes six months in prison and a SR 50,000 fine. The Interior Ministry launched a national campaign, "A nation without illegal expatriates," on March 29, and granted violators of residency regulations a grace period of 90 days to leave without penalties. Under the amnesty, overstayers could leave the Kingdom within the deadline without being recorded as a deportee and could return later to the Kingdom legally.
