KSA: Only Hajj visa holders allowed to perform pilgrimage
Penalties for violations
The ministry warned that any individual found in Makkah or surrounding sacred areas between Dhu Al-Qi'dah 1 and Dhu Al-Hijjah 14 without a valid Hajj visa will be fined up to SAR 20,000. Violators will also be deported and banned from re-entering the Kingdom for 10 years.
Call for compliance
Authorities emphasised the need for full compliance with Hajj regulations to ensure the safety and security of all pilgrims and to allow for the smooth performance of rituals.
Reporting violations
The public is encouraged to report any Hajj regulation violations by calling 911 in Makkah, Madinah, Riyadh, and the Eastern Province, or 999 in the rest of the Kingdom.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Khaleej Times
5 days ago
- Khaleej Times
Hajj 2025: 53 expats arrested for trying to enter Makkah without permit
Hajj security forces have arrested 53 expatriates for violating Hajj regulations and instructions by attempting to enter the city of Makkah and perform Hajj without a permit on Thursday, June 5. As thousands of pilgrims perform Hajj in Makkah, Saudi authorities have put strict penalties in place this year for violating regulations. These measures remain active through the end of the pilgrimage season. On Wednesday, June 4, Hajj security forces apprehended 60 foreign nationals holding visit visas for violating regulations, authorities said. The accused attempted to sneak into Makkah on foot via a desert route, the official Saudi account of Public Security said in a tweet on X. The statement also said that the accused have been referred to the competent authorities for appropriate action and levying penalties. Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels. Hajj penalties The Kingdom's Ministry of Tourism earlier said that anyone caught transporting pilgrims without a valid Haj permit or offering accommodations to these violators in hotels, apartments, etc., will face a fine of 100,000 Saudi Riyals. This penalty applies to citizens, residents, and visitors. Those who will be caught performing the pilgrimage without a permit or attempting to do so will face a fine of up to 20,000 Saudi Riyals. The same penalty applies to visit visa holders who attempt to enter Makkah and stay there from April 29 (Dhul-Qi'dah 1) and until Dhul Hijjah 14. Vehicles used to transport pilgrims illegally will be confiscated by court order. Authorities have also stated that violators will be publicly named, as part of a wider effort to deter others from breaking the law. Fines for violators from UAE A fine of Dh50,000 will be imposed on any UAE citizen arriving in Saudi Arabia without a valid Hajj permit approved by the General Authority of Islamic Affairs, Endowments and Zakat (GAIAZ). The decision was made to make it a safe Hajj experience for all UAE pilgrims, as performing Hajj is contingent upon receiving an official permit issued by the authority. This is in line with Cabinet decisions under the Hajj and Umrah System, which governs the procedures for the Hajj season. The system ensures fair and transparent distribution of opportunities among applicants through electronic screening programs.
Zawya
5 days ago
- Zawya
50 Saudis and expats penalized for transporting 205 unauthorized pilgrims
MINA — The Ministry of Interior has penalized 50 people, including 35 Saudi citizens and 15 expatriates, for violating the Hajj regulations. The ministry announced that the Hajj Security Forces arrested them at the entry points to Makkah while transporting a total of 205 individuals without Hajj permits. The ministry issued administrative decisions through the seasonal administrative committees against the transporters, their accomplices, and those who were provided with transportation. The penalties included imprisonment, fines of up to SR100,000, publicizing names of violators in the local media at their own expense, and deportation of residents with a 10-year ban from re-entering Saudi Arabia after serving their sentence. The ministry also called for the judicial confiscation of vehicles used in the unauthorized transport of pilgrims and the imposition of a fine of up to SR20,000 on those, who attempted to perform Hajj without a permit. The ministry urged all citizens and residents to comply with Hajj regulations to ensure the safety of pilgrims. © Copyright 2022 The Saudi Gazette. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Khaleej Times
6 days ago
- Khaleej Times
Hajj 2025: 60 caught sneaking into Makkah on foot in Saudi Arabia
Hajj security forces apprehended 60 foreign nationals holding visit visas for violating regulations, authorities said on Wednesday. The accused attempted to sneak into Makkah on foot via a desert route, the official Saudi account of Public Security said in a tweet on X. The statement also said that the accused have been referred to the competent authorities for appropriate action and levying penalties. The Kingdom's Ministry of Tourism earlier said that anyone caught transporting pilgrims without a valid Haj permit or offering accommodations to these violators in hotels, apartments, etc., will face a fine of 100,000 Saudi Riyals. This penalty applies to citizens, residents, and visitors. Those who will be caught performing the pilgrimage without a permit or attempting to do so will face a fine of up to 20,000 Saudi Riyals. The same penalty applies to visit visa holders who attempt to enter Makkah and stay there starting Tuesday, April 29 (Dhul-Qi'dah 1) and until Dhul Hijjah 14.
