Hajj 2025: Fine of 100,000 riyals, deportation for violating regulations in Saudi Arabia

As the Haj season approaches, Saudi authorities are reminding citizens, residents, and visitors of the strict penalties in place for violating Haj regulations. These measures remain active through the end of the pilgrimage season.

The Kingdom's Ministry of Tourism reminded 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.

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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.

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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 which will fall either on June 10 or 11 according to crescent sighting.

Visa overstayers and those who try to perform Hajj without a permit will be deported and prevented from entering Saudi Arabia for 10 years.

For residents who violate Haj regulations — whether by attempting to perform Haj without a permit or by transporting unauthorided pilgrims—the consequences are even more severe. Offenders will be deported after serving their sentence and barred from re-entering the Kingdom for a specified period, in accordance with Saudi law.

As part of these tightened regulations, all hospitality facilities in Makkah have also been prohibited from accommodating visitors who do not hold a valid Haj permit or an approved entry permit for work or residence in the city.

This directive, issued by the Ministry of Tourism, will be in effect from Dhul-Qi’dah 1, 1446 AH (April 29, 2025) and will remain valid until the conclusion of the Haj season.