Article 16 of the Saudi Temporary Work Visa Regulation
المادة 16 من اللائحة التنظيمية لتأشيرات العمل المؤقت والعمل المؤقت لخدمات الحج والعمرة · الفصل الثالث: تأشيرة العمل المؤقت لخدمات الحج والعمرة
Article 16 sets the entry dates and stay of Hajj and Umrah services visa holders until the end of Muharram, bars them from performing Hajj except under exemption controls, and prohibits converting the visa.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
1- يُسمح لحامل تأشيرة العمل المؤقت لخدمات الحج والعمرة بدخول المملكة من (الخامس عشر) إلى نهاية شهر شعبان لموسم العمرة، ومن (الخامس) من شهر شوال إلى نهاية شهر ذي القعدة لموسم الحج، ولا تتجاوز مدة الإقامة نهاية شهر محرم. ويتحمل طالب التأشيرة تكاليف إعادة من يقدم منهم إلى المملكة في غير المدة المحددة.
2- لا يصرح لحامل تأشيرة العمل المؤقت لخدمات الحج والعمرة؛ بالحج. وتدون ممثليات المملكة في الخارج على التأشيرة عبارة "غير صالحة للحج" باللغتين العربية والإنجليزية. وتضع وزارة الداخلية والوزارة ومجلس إدارة الهيئة الملكية لمدينة مكة المكرمة والمشاعر المقدسة ضوابط الاستثناء من حكم هذه الفقرة.
3- لا يجوز تحويل تأشيرة العمل المؤقت لخدمات الحج والعمرة إلى تأشيرة عمل مؤقت لغرض آخر أو لعمل دائم.
This is the official Arabic wording, the only legally binding version. We do not translate the law itself; the explanation below is ours. Official source: Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers
Article 16 explained in plain English
This article contains three provisions for the holder of a temporary work visa for Hajj and Umrah services:
1. Entry dates and stay:
- For the Umrah season: entry is permitted from the fifteenth of Sha'ban to the end of Sha'ban.
- For the Hajj season: from the fifth of Shawwal to the end of Dhu al-Qi'dah.
- The stay may not extend beyond the end of Muharram.
- If a worker arrives outside the specified period, the visa applicant bears the cost of returning him.
2. Ban on Hajj: the holder of this visa is not permitted to perform Hajj, and the missions write on the visa the words "not valid for Hajj" in Arabic and English. The Ministry of Interior, the Ministry and the Board of Directors of the Royal Commission for Makkah City and the Holy Sites set the controls for exemption from this provision; the article does not state these controls.
3. Ban on conversion: the visa may not be converted into a temporary work visa for another purpose or into permanent work.
The end date of the stay connects with the financial guarantee in Article 10, which is recovered on proof of departure within the specified period. Anyone with a particular situation may consult a lawyer specializing in recruitment and visa regulations.
Practical example
An approved transport company in Makkah recruited drivers for the Hajj season, and they arrived on the tenth of Shawwal. They may stay until the end of Muharram at most, they are not permitted to perform Hajj because their visas are marked "not valid for Hajj," and the company cannot convert their visas to permanent work.
Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.
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Active contributorFrequently asked questions about Article 16 of the Saudi Temporary Work Visa Regulation
When are Hajj season workers allowed to enter the Kingdom?
From the fifth of Shawwal to the end of Dhu al-Qi'dah, and for the Umrah season from the fifteenth to the end of Sha'ban.
May the holder of a temporary work visa for Hajj services perform Hajj?
He is not permitted to perform Hajj, and the words "not valid for Hajj" are written on his visa; there is an exception under controls set by the bodies named in the text.
Can a Hajj and Umrah work visa be converted into a permanent work residency?
No. It may not be converted into a temporary work visa for another purpose or into permanent work.
Who bears the cost of returning a worker who enters outside the period?
The visa applicant.
More articles on Entry and Stay of Hajj and Umrah Visa Holders
- Article 14
Article 14 requires the Ministry to send Hajj and Umrah services visa permits automatically to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs before mid-Sha'ban for Umrah and before the end of Shawwal for Hajj.
ترسل الوزارة -آليًّا- الأذونات الخاصة بتأشيرة العمل المؤقت لخدمات الحج والعمرة إلى وزارة الخارجية قبل منتصف شهر شعبان لموسم العمرة، وقبل نهاية شهر شوال لموسم ال
- Article 15
Article 15 provides that the Kingdom's missions approve Hajj and Umrah services visas according to the applicants' lists after verifying that the workers meet the technical and professional requirements.
تعتمد ممثليات المملكة في الخارج تأشيرات العمل المؤقت لخدمات الحج والعمرة بحسب القوائم المقدمة من طالبي التأشيرات، المشار إليها في المادة (الثالثة عشرة) من اللائ
- Article 17
Article 17 provides that unused Hajj and Umrah services visas are cancelled automatically on the first of Dhu al-Hijjah, or earlier at the holder's request with recovery of the fee.
تُلغي الوزارة آليًّا، في اليوم (الأول) من شهر ذي الحجة من كل عام، تأشيرات العمل المؤقت لخدمات الحج والعمرة غير المستخدمة، أو إذا رغب طالب التأشيرة في إلغائها قب
The texts are reproduced from the official website of the Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers for reference; where they differ, the officially published Arabic text prevails. This content is not legal advice.