Business & Money | Wednesday 6 April, 2016 7:49 am |

Director General of Passport Maj. Gen. Abdul Aziz Al-Yahya met with the different department directors on Monday to discuss future plans to streamline operations.

He noted that the number of pilgrims had been increasing so that there’s a need to make necessary adjustments in the issuance of visas. 
The meeting also discussed the effectivity of the implementation of plans and programs during the last season. He said that the measures in the past will be implemented during the current season, including the technical aspect as well as evaluating electronic services.
The measures include tough punishment for expats violating the country’s residency, labor and business regulations.
Punishment includes fines up to SR100,000, a jail term for up to two years, and deportation, the Ministry of Interior (MoI) said.
The move was intended for foreigners who have come to the Kingdom on work, visit, Haj and Umrah visas and have overstayed their visas.
Punishment would be increased depending on the number of violations and individuals involved while violating expats will be deported and prevented from entering the Kingdom for a specific period.
He added that there’s a need to disseminate information regarding the rules and regulations and that the media has a big role to play.