Riyadh – The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has announced a temporary relief measure allowing Umrah pilgrims with expired visas to leave the Kingdom without penalties or additional fees until April 18, 2026.
The decision offers significant relief to thousands of pilgrims who were unable to depart on time due to ongoing regional and global travel disruptions. This marks the second such concession introduced in recent months.
According to an official statement, the exemption applies specifically to pilgrims whose Umrah visas expired on 8 Ramadan 1447 AH (February 25, 2026). Affected individuals may exit Saudi Arabia through all international ports without the need to extend their visas or pay overstay fines.
The Ministry explained that the move comes in response to exceptional circumstances impacting international travel, including widespread airspace closures and flight disruptions across the Middle East. These disruptions intensified following the outbreak of the US–Israel–Iran conflict escalation February 2026, which has led to significant interruptions in flight operations throughout the region.
To support departing pilgrims, the Ministry has activated a dedicated operations room in coordination with civil aviation authorities and other government agencies. This initiative aims to provide immediate assistance and streamlined solutions for travelers facing difficulties.
Pilgrims are advised to confirm their return travel bookings before the April 18 deadline and arrive at airports on time to ensure smooth departure within the grace period.
In a related statement, the Saudi Ministry of Interior urged all individuals holding expired visas—including visit, Umrah, transit, and final exit visas dated from February 25—to contact the unified passport services number (992) for guidance on departure procedures.
According to aviation data from Cirium, more than 40,000 flights were cancelled across the Middle East between February 28 and March 9, highlighting the scale of disruption affecting travelers.
Authorities reiterated that under normal regulations, Umrah pilgrims are required to depart the Kingdom before their visas expire, with penalties imposed for overstays. However, the current exception reflects Saudi Arabia’s efforts to accommodate pilgrims amid extraordinary global circumstances.
