RIYADH: The Saudi Arabian government has announced a fine of Saudi Riyal50,000 and six months imprisonment for those who continue to stay in thecountry even after the expiry of their umrah visa.
According to a notification issued by the passport department of the Saudigovernment, pilgrims should leave the country before their umrah visaexpires.
Earlier in the year, reports quoted the passport department as stating thatvisa extension requests can be made seven days before the expiry of visitvisas. However, it added, visas cannot be extended for more than 180 days.
According to the passport directorate, the final exit visa will be validfor 60 days.
It had also stated that those who perform the pilgrim without a permit willbe banned from entering the country for 10 years.