Don't Overstay! Umrah Pilgrims Must Leave Saudi Arabia by 18 April 2026
The Saudi Arabian government, through the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, has stipulated that all umrah pilgrims from various countries must leave the kingdom no later than 18 April 2026. This policy is implemented as a measure for sterilisation and technical preparations ahead of the 1447 Hijriah hajj pilgrimage.
The establishment of this deadline aims to ensure the smooth flow of umrah pilgrims’ return before local authorities begin focusing all facilities and services in Mecca and Medina on hajj pilgrims. Based on the annual regulatory calendar, this evacuation is conducted to allow optimal cleaning and space arrangement processes in the Masjidil Haram and surrounding areas.
Quoting the Saudi Gazette, the closure of this year’s umrah season will be carried out gradually with the following schedule details:
In addition to setting the return deadline, the Saudi government has reiterated strict rules regarding the legality of worship. Authorities emphasise that umrah visas cannot be used to perform hajj.
Pilgrims who attempt to stay beyond the deadline (overstay) or use non-hajj visas for hajj risk severe sanctions, ranging from administrative fines, deportation, to entry bans (blacklist) to Saudi Arabia in the future.
The Saudi government also requests that all travel companies and umrah organisers ensure their pilgrims’ return schedules comply with regulations. This is to avoid congestion at major airports such as King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah and Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz Airport in Medina ahead of the arrival of the first batch of hajj pilgrims. The departure of Indonesian hajj pilgrims for 2026 is scheduled to begin on 22 April.
The Ministry of Religious Affairs ensures the distribution of 360 tons of spices and ready-to-eat food for hajj 2026 arrives on time in Saudi Arabia, targeting completion by 10 April before the officials arrive.
The Indonesian Consulate General in Jeddah confirms that Indonesian umrah pilgrims involved in the bus fire incident near Medina remain scheduled to return on 31 March 2026.
Amphuri reminds travel agencies that Penyelenggara Perjalanan Ibadah Umrah (PPIU) or umrah and hajj travel agencies in Indonesia must ensure umrah pilgrims do not overstay.
As of 12 March 2026, 24,022 Indonesian umrah pilgrims have returned to Indonesia via various international flights from Saudi Arabia to Indonesia.
Minister of Religious Affairs Mochamad Irfan Yusuf, or Gus Irfan, assures that Indonesian umrah pilgrims in Mecca and Medina remain safe despite escalating Middle East conflicts.
Minister of Hajj and Umrah (Menhaj) Mochamad Irfan Yusuf or Gus Irfan revealed that around 50,000 Indonesian umrah pilgrims are still in Saudi Arabia.