Saudi Arabian authorities have issued a stern warning against the improper use of Umrah visas for purposes other than pilgrimage. The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, as reported by Gulf News, has underscored the necessity of strictly adhering to the regulations governing these visas, emphasizing their exclusive purpose for pilgrimage.
In an official statement shared on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), the ministry highlighted the importance of respecting the intended purpose of Umrah visas. Pilgrims are urged to ensure their departure from the Kingdom before the expiration of their visa.

Additionally, pilgrims have been advised to depart from the Kingdom before their visa expires and cautioned against attempting to exploit the visa for employment opportunities.

This advisory follows a noticeable increase in instances where Umrah visas have been misused for unauthorized activities, prompting concerns regarding compliance with visa regulations.

In recent years, the Kingdom has introduced numerous facilities for Muslims abroad to visit the country for Umrah purposes. Millions of Muslims, unable to undertake the annual Hajj due to physical or financial constraints, journey to Saudi Arabia to perform the Umrah pilgrimage. During Ramadan 1445 AH-2024, over 30 million Muslims from various parts of the world performed Umrah or the lesser pilgrimage.