Muslim World

Saudi government to send Umrah pilgrims jail if exceed allotted time

12 April 2025 18:04 PM

NEWS DESK

Saudi Arabia has announced it will deport or jail Umrah pilgrims violating visa rules and failing to leave the country by April 29.

The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah confirmed April 29 as the final departure date for all Umrah pilgrims currently in the Kingdom.

Staying beyond this date will be treated as a legal offence, subject to hefty fines, imprisonment, and deportation.

The decision is part of wider preparations for this year’s Hajj season and comes amid concerns about growing attempts by some visitors to overstay their pilgrimage visas.

“Security is a red line. The systems in place are designed to protect the safety and dignity of the guests of God and to ensure the efficiency of crowd management plans in collaboration with security, military, and service agencies,” said Director of Public Security, Lieutenant General Mohammed Abdullah Al Bassami.

Saudi authorities have repeatedly emphasised the importance of upholding the integrity of pilgrimage regulations. Overstaying or circumventing visa rules not only strains logistical and security efforts but also undermines the Kingdom’s sophisticated infrastructure—heavily reliant on artificial intelligence—to manage the flow of millions of pilgrims across holy sites.

Advanced AI-driven crowd management systems monitor density and direct movement from the entrances of Mecca to the Grand Mosque. These technologies allow real-time intervention to prevent bottlenecks and ensure safety.

Violations such as exceeding national quotas or staying beyond permitted dates can compromise the entire ecosystem, officials warned.

Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Adel Zamzami, a security expert, said the Kingdom’s embrace of smart city technology places it at the forefront of global pilgrimage logistics.

Saudi government Umrah Pilgrims allotted time jail leave