The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah recently reiterated its warning about any attempt to perform the Hajj pilgrimage without an official permitas the 1446-2025 season approaches. This measure, implemented in coordination with the Saudi Ministry of the Interior, aims to reinforce security and organization of the world's largest religious gathering. An official press release was published by the Saudi Interior Minister on April 28.
Strictly regulated access to Mecca
April 29 to June 11, 2025 (i.e. from 1st Dhu'l Qi'da to 14th Dhu'l Hijja 1446), access to Mecca will be strictly forbidden. forbidden to anyone without a Hajj permit or an official residence or work permit. Hotels and residences are also required to refuse accommodation to anyone without a valid permit, on pain of severe penalties.
Planned penalties
The Saudi authorities apply severe penalties against offenders:
- Fine of 20,000 Saudi riyals for anyone caught without a permit, whether a Saudi citizen, resident or visitor. For repeat offenders, the amount is doubled for citizens and residents of the Gulf Cooperation Council.
- Fine of 100,000 Saudi riyals for anyone who has applied for a visitor's visa for an individual who has performed or attempted to perform the Hajj without a permit, or entered or stayed in Mecca or the holy sites during the aforementioned period.
- Expulsion and ban on entry to Saudi Arabia for foreigners in breach of the law, for a period determined by the seriousness of the case.
- Imprisonment of up to six months and a fine of up to 50,000 Saudi riyals for anyone transporting offenders, with possible confiscation of the vehicle and expulsion of the transporter if he or she is an expatriate.
The official procedure for obtaining a Hajj permit
The Nusuk Hajj platform is the only official site for booking and managing the pilgrimage. Any attempt to use a tourist or Umrah visa to perform the Hajj carries similar penalties: fine, expulsion and ban on returning to the Kingdom.
Objectives of the measures
These rules are designed to :
- Prevent overcrowding and guarantee pilgrims' safety.
- Combat fraud and illegal Hajj campaigns.
- Ensuring that the pilgrimage runs smoothly and safely.
Finally, the Ministry is calling for vigilance in the face of fraudulent campaigns circulating on social networks, and invites people to report any suspicious activity via the dedicated emergency numbers (911 for Mecca, Riyadh and the Eastern region; 999 for other regions).
These measures are part of the Kingdom's policy to ensure a safe, organized and legally compliant spiritual experience for all pilgrims.
Warnings to prevent fraud
The representative consulates and embassies of several countries have alerted their nationals to non-compliance with Saudi entry regulations during the Hajj pilgrimage. This would involve warning pilgrims, and inviting them to postpone their trip to Saudi Arabia, if they have not obtained a Hajj permit. Tourist or Omra visas cannot be used for Hajj pilgrimage.
The Moroccan and Tunisian authorities in Saudi Arabia have recently warned their nationals of the measures to be observed. The Délégation Générale au Pèlerinage (DGP) has reportedly been informed by the Saudi authorities of "cases of pilgrimage visa fraud involving private tour operators".
"We would like to remind you that visa fraud is considered to be falsification of an administrative document, in accordance with the provisions of the Senegalese penal code."
General Mamadou Gaye, Delegate General for the Pilgrimage to the Holy Places of Islam
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