JEDDAH, 3 April 2007 — The Passport Department yesterday urged foreign visitors who have overstayed their visas to approach the nearest expatriate affairs offices to clear their papers in order to leave the Kingdom within a two-month grace period.
“Those who provide accommodation, transport and job to overstayers will be asked to pay a fine of not less than SR10,000 and jailed for not more than six months,” the department said. The two-month grace period begins today.
“The Saudi rules and regulations do not allow those who have come on visit visa to stay in the country after the expiry of their visa,” the Saudi Press Agency said quoting an official. The law applies on foreigners who have come to visit their families, for business, treatment or other purposes.
“This announcement is made out of our desire that no one violate the Kingdom’s regulations and everybody follows its instructions and cooperate with its agencies,” the statement said.
There are more than seven million foreigners in the Kingdom, which has a total population of 27 million.
