Visitors warned not to overstay in Saudi
Habib Shaikh

JEDDAH — Interior Minister Prince Nayef has warned that Saudi Arabia will take tough action against foreigners overstaying their visas as well as against Saudis and expatriates who employ, transport or accommodate such illegal residents. He said the government would also adopt stringent measures to prevent investment firms from cheating their shareholders.

Nayef warned that Haj and Umrah agents who fail to stop their pilgrims from overstaying would find their licences cancelled. A large number of Asians and Africans come to the Kingdom holding Haj visas with the intention of seeking jobs.

Many private companies, especially construction firms, as well as Saudi individuals employ them as they are cheaper compared to those workers having valid work/residency permits, known as iqamas.

“We know that the temptation is low wages but people should give priority to national interests. We don’t want to snowball the problem of illegals like in some countries. Many people like to come to our country for jobs. We want the citizens to cooperate with us. We don’t want to punish them but if they don’t cooperate we’ll strictly apply the punishments,” Nayef said.

“We’ll combat overstayers by strictly and quickly imposing punishment, first, on those who employ them, second on those who accommodate them, and third on those who transport them. All of them will receive tough punishment as they deal with illegals,” Nayef told reporters after presiding over a recent meeting of regional governors.

Saudi Arabia is perceived as wealthy beyond all dreams. Many of those living in truly poor countries seem to want a piece of those dreams, as even poor Saudis—and there are many—appear to have better lives. Visas to the KSA are not easily obtained, though they’re somewhat easier to get today than even a few years ago. But visas for religious purposes—Hajj or Umrah pilgrimages—are not difficult to get. Or to abuse.

This piece from Khaleej Times notes steps the Saudi government is taking to prevent illegal immigration under the guise of religious pilgrimage.