{"id":13092,"slug":"e-visa-not-valid-during-hajj-in-jeddah-medina-saudi-arabia","status":"published","date":"2023-06-02T11:17:32Z","modified":"2026-06-12 12:09:57","link":"https://www.visamundi.co/en/blog/e-visa-not-valid-during-hajj-in-jeddah-medina-saudi-arabia/","title":{"rendered":"e-Visa not valid during Hajj in Jeddah & Medina, Saudi Arabia"},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Saudi Arabia restricts entry during Hajj 2023: e-Visas, tourist, or Omrah visas will not be accepted at Jeddah or Medina airports as of 1 June. Only Hajj, GCC, business, or medical-visit visas permitted.</p>","protected":false},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The latest guidance from the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" href=\"https://gaca.gov.sa\"><strong>General Authority of Civil Aviation in Saudi Arabia (GACA)</strong></a> clarifies entry-conditions for visas to Saudi Arabia during the Hajj season.</p>\n<p>Effective 1 June and ending 28 June 2023, only the following visa categories will allow passengers to enter <strong>Jeddah</strong> (<em>King Abdulaziz International Airport – JED</em>) and <strong>Medina</strong> (<em>Prince Mohammed Bin Abdulaziz International Airport – MED</em>):</p>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<p><strong>Hajj visas</strong> (accepted only at these two airports)</p></li>\n<li>\n<p><strong>GCC citizens</strong> (Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar)</p></li>\n<li>\n<p><strong>Business visas</strong></p></li>\n<li>\n<p><strong>Medical-visit visas</strong></p></li></ul>\n<p>During this period, e-Visa, tourist, visit and Omrah holders will be denied boarding on flights serving these destinations. <strong>No visas will be issued on arrival</strong>.</p>\n<p>e-Visa holders who wish to enter the kingdom may still do so by arriving at another eligible airport, up to and after 28 June 2023.</p>\n<h2>What is <em>hajj</em>?</h2>\n<p><strong><em>Hajj</em></strong> is the fifth pillar of Islam and requires a pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia. Every physically and financially capable adult Muslim is expected to perform Hajj at least once in a lifetime. It takes place during Dhu al-Hijjah, the final month of the Islamic lunar calendar.</p>","protected":false},"tags":[32]}