Article 17 of the Saudi Temporary Work Visa Regulation
المادة 17 من اللائحة التنظيمية لتأشيرات العمل المؤقت والعمل المؤقت لخدمات الحج والعمرة · الفصل الثالث: تأشيرة العمل المؤقت لخدمات الحج والعمرة
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.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
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 قبل هذا التاريخ وله في هذه الحالة استعادة الرسم الذي دفعه.
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 17 explained in plain English
This article corresponds to Article 3 on the ordinary temporary work visa, but concerns visas for Hajj and Umrah services:
- Automatic cancellation: the Ministry automatically cancels unused temporary work visas for Hajj and Umrah services on the first day of Dhu al-Hijjah of each year.
- Cancellation on request: if the visa applicant wishes to cancel a visa before that date, it is cancelled, and in that case the applicant may recover the fee it paid.
An establishment that no longer needs some of the visas benefits if it requests their cancellation before the first of Dhu al-Hijjah, because the text ties recovery of the fee to cancellation at its wish before that date.
This connects with Article 10, under which the financial guarantee is recovered when the visa is cancelled. The date is consistent with the entry dates in Article 16, which end for the Hajj season at the end of Dhu al-Qi'dah. Anyone with a particular situation may consult a lawyer specializing in recruitment and visa regulations.
Practical example
An establishment approved for Hajj services obtained 20 visas, and then found in mid-Dhu al-Qi'dah that it needs only 15 workers. It asks for the remaining five visas to be cancelled before the first of Dhu al-Hijjah, and recovers the fee it paid for them.
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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Frequently asked questions about Article 17 of the Saudi Temporary Work Visa Regulation
When are unused Hajj and Umrah services visas cancelled?
The Ministry cancels them automatically on the first day of Dhu al-Hijjah of each year.
Can the fee for a Hajj and Umrah services visa be recovered?
Yes. If the visa applicant wishes to cancel it before the first of Dhu al-Hijjah, it may recover the fee it paid.
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 16
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.
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
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.