JEDDAH, 2 April 2007 — The Passport Department plans to impose a fine of SR10,000 on expatriates if their families or dependants who come to the Kingdom on visit visas do not leave before the expiry of the visas, informed sources say.
The punishment will also include a six-month jail sentence for the overstayer, the source said, adding that the fine of SR10,000 will be for each overstayer. Private institutions will receive the same punishment if their sponsored visitors overstay their visas.
The department has decided to impose stiff punishments as it observed a large number of visitors, mostly family members of expatriates, overstay their visas, thus violating the Kingdom’s visa and residency regulations.
The source said the department would give a two-month grace period from April 3 to June 1 for expatriates and companies to send their visitors away before the imposition of the punishments. There are more than seven million expatriate workers and their families in the Kingdom, which has a total population of 27 million.
Overstayers, especially those who come for Haj and Umrah, are one of the main problems faced by the Kingdom’s security agencies. Every year security forces, including Passport Department officers, carry out raids in Makkah, Jeddah and Taif as well as in neighboring villages to track down overstayers and deport them.
The new punishment, in addition to the existing Umrah regulations, will drastically reduce the number of overstayers in the country. According to studies, the new Umrah law has reduced the number of overstaying pilgrims by 35 percent. The Passport Department has warned both Saudis and expatriates not to employ or transport or accommodate foreigners who have overstayed their visas, saying offenders would be jailed and asked to pay fines up to SR100,000.
After every Haj and Umrah season, the department repeatedly urges pilgrims to leave the Kingdom before their visas expire. The Passport Department pointed out that present regulations do not allow the conversion of Umrah or Haj visas into work visas.
The department has introduced a new system, in association with Saudi Telecom and Al-Elm Security Information Company, aimed at informing Saudis and expatriates of the status of their passports, workers and visas by sending an SMS to their mobile phones. The department has opened a counter to receive applications for the new service.
Using the service, Saudis can receive SMS information on issue and renewal of passports.
Both expatriates and their Saudi sponsors can receive information on the issue and renewal of iqamas, issue of exit/re-entry visas, exit only visas, expiry date of exit/re-entry visas, arrival of a new expatriate worker, departure of an expatriate worker, information about an absconding worker, recording of information about lost documents, transfer of sponsorship and change of profession.
The department has begun providing the service in the Riyadh region on an experimental basis.
If successful, it will be introduced throughout the Kingdom, the department’s official website said. Those who want to receive more information may contact the following toll-free number: 8001244359.
