Saudi Arabia Grants Amnesty on Expired Umrah Visas Until April 18

Bangla Press Desk:  Holders of expired Umrah visas have until 18 April 2026 to leave Saudi Arabia without paying any fines or fees, the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah said on Friday (3  April).

In a statement, the ministry said those whose Umrah visas expired on 8 Ramadan -- corresponding to 25 February, as Ramadan began on 18 February in the Kingdom -- will be allowed to depart freely through international ports before the deadline without extending their visas.

The decision comes amid widespread travel disruptions in the region following airspace closures in several countries since the outbreak of the US-Israel-Iran war on 28 February.

Aviation across the Middle East has been severely affected, with airlines rerouting, diverting or cancelling flights. Major hub airports, including those in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, have faced significant schedule disruptions and congestion.
Earlier, the Saudi Ministry of Interior urged holders of expired visas—including visit, Umrah, transit and final exit visas—as of 25 February to contact the unified passport helpline (992) for assistance in leaving the Kingdom.

According to aviation analytics firm Cirium, more than 40,000 flights were cancelled in the Middle East between 28 February and 9 March.Source: daily Sun

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