The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has announced stringent new penalties for individuals who violate Hajj permit regulations.
The Ministry of Interior, in a statement released through the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) on Thursday, outlined the new sanctions, which include a substantial fine of $26,661 for those who facilitate visit visas for individuals attempting to perform Hajj without proper authorization.
These measures are part of an intensified effort to curb unauthorized access to Makkah and the holy sites during the annual pilgrimage. The enforcement period spans from the 1st of Dhul-Qi’dah to the 14th of Dhul-Hijjah, according to the Islamic calendar.
The ministry stated that a fine of $5,332 will be levied on individuals attempting to perform Hajj without a permit, and on visitors trying to enter or remain in Makkah during this period.
The regulations extend to those who assist unauthorized pilgrims. Anyone who applies for a visit visa for a person who performs or attempts to perform Hajj without a permit will face the $26,661 fine. The same penalty applies to those who transport visit visa holders to Makkah or provide them with accommodation (hotels, apartments, private homes, etc.), conceal their presence, or offer any assistance that enables their stay. The fine will be multiplied for each individual involved.
Beyond financial penalties, the ministry emphasized that illegal infiltrators, whether residents or visa overstayers, found attempting to perform Hajj will be deported and barred from re-entering the Kingdom for ten years.
These measures underscore Saudi Arabia’s commitment to ensuring the safety, crowd control, and adherence to religious protocols during the Hajj pilgrimage.
In related news, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has announced that the airlift of Nigerian pilgrims for the 2025 Hajj will commence on May 9th. NAHCON’s Assistant Director of Information and Publication, Fatima Sanda Usara, revealed that 43,000 Nigerian pilgrims have made payments for the upcoming pilgrimage. “The Commission is fully prepared for the airlift exercise, and we urge all pilgrims to comply with Saudi regulations,” she stated.
