JEDDAH, 1 June 2007 — Expatriates overstaying their visit, Haj and Umrah visas will be fined SR1,000 for each year of overstaying, according to Col. Hussein Yahya Al-Harithy, director of the Department for Expatriates’ Affairs at the Passport Department in the Makkah region.
The official’s warning comes two days before the end of an amnesty issued by the Interior Ministry for overstayers (people who come on pilgrimage, visitation or business visas and stay to live illegally after their visas expire) to clear their travel documents and leave the Kingdom without questioning. The Passport Department issued the amnesty on April 2, 2007. “We will not show any leniency toward overstayers after the amnesty that ends on Saturday,” said Al-Harithy.
He warned Saudis and expatriates against providing employment, accommodation and transport to overstayers, saying they would get six-month jail and a SR10,000 fine. “We have already given two months grace period for overstayers to clear their papers and leave the Kingdom,” Harithy said.
“The majority of people approaching my department are expatriate families who have been staying in the Kingdom illegally.”
“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 department said.
There are nearly eight million foreigners in the Kingdom, which has a total population of 27.6 million. Overstayers, especially those who come for Haj and Umrah, are one of the main problems faced by the Kingdom’s security agencies.
The Passport Department said present regulations do not allow the conversion of Umrah or Haj visas into work visas.
The Passport Department has introduced a new system in association with Saudi Telecom and Al-Elm Security Information Company to inform 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. For more information contact the toll-free number: 800.124.4359.
