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Saudi Arabian authorities have issued a stern warning against the improper use of Umrah visas for activities unrelated to pilgrimage.
Gulf News reports that the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has underscored the importance of strictly following the regulations governing the use of these visas, highlighting their sole purpose for pilgrimage.
Through an official statement shared on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), the ministry emphasized the importance of honoring the intended purpose of Umrah visas. Pilgrims are urged to ensure they leave the Kingdom before their visa expires.
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Additionally, pilgrims have been advised to depart from the Kingdom prior to the expiration of their visa and have been cautioned against trying to misuse the visa for employment opportunities.
This advisory comes in response to a growing trend of instances where Umrah visas have been misused for unauthorized activities, sparking concerns about compliance with visa regulations.
In recent years, the Kingdom has introduced numerous facilities for Muslims from abroad to visit the country for Umrah. 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 across the globe performed Umrah or the lesser pilgrimage.