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Saudi Public Security has warned that Hajj and Umrah service companies delaying notification about pilgrims or Umrah performers who remain in the kingdom after their authorized stay will face financial penalties. The authority stated that a penalty of up to SR100,000 applies in such cases with the amount multiplied according to the number of violators involved. This enforcement targets companies and establishments responsible for organizing these visits under residency labor and border security regulations. The directive aims to ensure timely reporting to competent authorities throughout the pilgrimage periods.
According to the Saudi Press Agency which distributed the Public Security statement reports of violations can be submitted by calling 911 in Makkah Madinah Riyadh and the Eastern Province. Callers in other parts of the kingdom should dial 999 to reach the relevant departments. The authority added that all information received receives complete confidentiality and that those providing details bear no legal responsibility for their actions. Such channels encourage both service providers and members of the public to contribute to regulatory oversight.
Official figures from the DataSaudi platform show that 1,673,230 pilgrims took part in the 2025 Hajj season with more than 1.5 million arriving from outside the kingdom. This scale of external participation underscores the logistical demands placed on service companies charged with monitoring visitor compliance. Overstaying has presented recurring challenges for immigration management and local resource allocation in past years. The latest penalty structure builds on those experiences by holding organizers accountable for prompt notifications.
The Ministry of Interior has separately outlined penalties for individual overstayers that can include fines of up to SR50,000 imprisonment for as long as six months and eventual deportation. Service companies occupy a central position in the system since they coordinate travel accommodations and departures for large groups of religious visitors. Failure to report promptly can complicate efforts to maintain order at holy sites and across related facilities. Public Security’s announcement reinforces the expectation that licensed operators actively support these controls.
Further details from the Public Security guidance emphasize that the fine calculation escalates directly with each identified violator to deter systemic lapses among providers. The measure forms one element of wider campaigns to secure borders and protect the integrity of the annual pilgrimage events. Authorities continue to stress the role of accurate record-keeping by companies throughout the visa validity window. This approach seeks to minimize unauthorized extensions that affect overall security and operational planning.
