Saudi Arabia Sets April 29 Departure Deadline for Foreign Umrah Pilgrims

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has set April 29 (Dhul Qada 1) as the final departure date for foreign Umrah pilgrims, as preparations intensify for the upcoming Hajj season.

In a statement issued Monday, the ministry announced that April 13 (Shawwal 15) will be the last day pilgrims can enter the Kingdom for Umrah this year. Those who fail to leave by the April 29 deadline will be considered in violation of pilgrimage and visa regulations.

Pilgrims, service providers, and sponsoring companies found breaching these rules may face fines of up to SR100,000 and possible legal action. Authorities have warned that failure to report overstaying pilgrims will result in the highest penalties.

The ministry emphasized the importance of adhering to the timeline to ensure safety, crowd control, and smooth logistics during the Hajj pilgrimage, which officially begins on Dhul Qada 1.

This suspension of Umrah activities for foreign pilgrims ahead of Hajj follows long-standing practice, allowing authorities to focus fully on the large influx of worshippers expected for one of Islam’s five pillars.

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