Travelers to Saudi Arabia with visit visas will be barred from entering the holy city of Makkah during the Hajj season, as announced by the Kingdom’s Ministry of Interior.
The ministry stated that this restriction will be in effect from May 23 to June 21.
Foreigners currently in Saudi Arabia on visit visas are advised not to travel to Makkah during this period, according to the Saudi Press Agency.
The ministry emphasized that anyone intending to perform Hajj rituals in Makkah must obtain a permit, as visit visas do not authorize participation in Hajj.
Additionally, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has ceased issuing Umrah permits via the Nusuk app, an online portal for obtaining ritual permits, as reported by the Saudi Gazette.
Saudi authorities have warned of strict penalties and substantial fines for violators.
“Non-compliance with Hajj regulations will incur severe penalties. Individuals caught in Makkah and the holy sites without a Hajj permit will be fined SR10,000 ($2,666), applicable to citizens, residents, and visitors. Repeat offenders will face doubled fines, and resident violators will be deported and banned from re-entering Saudi Arabia,” the ministry stated in a recent post on X.
Penalties will be enforced on anyone found without a Hajj permit in designated areas of Makkah, including the city, the central Haram area, the holy sites of Mina, Arafat, and Muzdalifah, the Haramain train station in Russeifa, security control centers, pilgrim grouping centers, and temporary security control centers, according to the Saudi Gazette.
Anyone caught transporting pilgrims in Makkah without Hajj permits could face up to six months in prison and a fine of 50,000 Saudi riyals.
