Who's banned from Mecca? 6-month jail sentence for violators
As the Hajj season of 2025 approaches, the relevant authorities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have issued regulations for this year's pilgrimage, revealing the categories of individuals prohibited from entering Mecca, as well as the categories exempt from Saudi Arabia's decision.
As part of ongoing preparations for the Hajj season '2025 AD – 1446 AH,' the relevant authorities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have issued a set of regulatory controls regarding the Hajj season 2025.
This aligns with the directives of the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration to the consular sector of the ministry and the Consulate General of the Arab Republic of Egypt in Jeddah to raise the level of preparedness for this year's Hajj season.
The aim is to ensure the safety of the pilgrims to the Sacred House of God and enable them to perform the Hajj rituals with security, ease, and peace of mind.
The procedures and regulatory controls for the entry and stay of Egyptian citizens in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia during the Hajj season, particularly in Mecca, include the following:
Prohibition of Entry to Mecca
All categories are prohibited from entering Mecca specifically, starting from today, April 23, 2025 (corresponding to Shawwal 25, 1446 AH), until June 11, 2025 (corresponding to Dhu al-Hijjah 15, 1446 AH), including residents of the Kingdom, with the exception of only three categories: (Those holding an official Hajj permit – Residents holding residency permits issued from Mecca only – Workers inside Mecca with a special permit).
Umrah Visa Holders
This category is prohibited from entering the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from any port or airport starting from April 13th (corresponding to Shawwal 15th). Those who entered with this visa before this date are required to leave Mecca and the Kingdom before April 29th (Dhu al-Qadah 1st).
Valid Family Visit Visa Holders
They are allowed to enter the Kingdom, and there are no specific restrictions on them except for the ban on entering Mecca during the period from April 23rd to June 11th, 2025.
Tourist Visas (Port Visas)
These are obtained only at Saudi ports by holders of Schengen and United States visas. No decisions have been issued to prevent their entry into the Kingdom. However, this type of visa does not allow its holder to enter Mecca during the ban period from April 23rd to June 11th, 2025. Attempting to enter Mecca from anywhere within the Kingdom will subject the holder to accountability and deportation.
Transit Visas
This type of visa was only available on Saudi airlines (Saudi Arabian Airlines – flynas – flyadeal). No official decision has been issued to prohibit them. Holders of transit visas can enter from any port or airport in the Kingdom except King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, with the necessity of adhering to the controls and requirements specific to this type of visa, which include adhering to the visa duration (a maximum of 96 hours from the moment of entry into the Kingdom) and the necessity for the traveler to complete their journey and continue to their final destination (a third country).
Saudi authorities have also issued a decision imposing fines on Umrah visa holders who fail to leave the Kingdom after April 29, 2025.
The decision stipulates a fine of 50,000 Saudi Riyals for any arriving pilgrim who overstays their visa, imprisonment for up to 6 months, and deportation to their home country.
Additionally, a fine of 100,000 Saudi Riyals has been announced for tourism companies affiliated with the overstaying pilgrim if they fail to report the overstay. These fines will be multiplied for a single company based on the number of overstaying pilgrims affiliated with it.
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