The Passports Department (Jawazat) has warned those who opt to stay in the Kingdom after the expiry of their Umrah or visit visa with fines reaching up to SR50,000, six-month imprisonment and deportation. "No Umrah pilgrim or a visitor should remain in the Kingdom after the expiry of the validity of his/her visa," the Jawazat said in a statement. It asked all those who have arrived through the Kingdom's air, land or sea inlets not to delay their stay in the Kingdom beyond the validity of their entry visa. It asked all those who arrived in the Kingdom on Umrah or visit visa to strictly abide by the duration of stay fixed for them in their visas. The Jawazat asked citizens and expatriates to ask the visitors to leave on time and to report those who purposely delay their departure. "Those who fail to report overstayers will receive the same punishment in addition to deportation if they are foreigners," it said. The Jawazat also warned citizens and expatriates never to host, hide, employ, transport or extend any kind of assistance that may help pilgrims or visitors to overstay. "Those who help the pilgrims and visitors overstay in the Kingdom will be fined SR100,000, imprisoned for six months and deported if they are expatriates," it said. The Jawazat also asked all the Haj companies to report the overstayers otherwise they will be punished with heavy fines. It also asked all companies, firms and individuals not to hire the overstayers otherwise they will be severely punished.
