Hajj 2025: Saudi Arabia announces stricter penalties, fines against visa violators

To crackdown on those who attempt to perform Hajj without permits, Saudi Ministry of Interior has announced on Monday stricter penalties against offenders.

Those who will be caught performing the pilgrimage without a permit or attempting to do so will face a fine of upto SAR20,000. 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.

Recommended For You

Sudan paramilitaries agree to mediators' truce proposal

EFG Hermes appoints Christopher Laing as head of equity capital markets

How UAE became a global haven for crypto migration 

Sudan's RSF agrees to US proposal for ceasefire

Vancouver boarding: St. George’s unique urban experience for boys

 

Earlier this month, the kingdom's authorities have tightened the penalties on visa overstayers. The Ministry of Interior said that visa sponsors who do not report when expatriate workers under their sponsorhip leave the country after their entry visas have expired will face a SAR50,000 fine in addition to up to 6 months in jail and deportation.

Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels.

Hefty fines

As part of the stricter penalties announced on Monday, anyone who applies for a visit visa for another who performs or tries to perform Hajj without a permit or attempts to enter Makkah during the aforementioned period will be subject to a fine of up to SAR100,000, the Ministry said in a statement published by the kingdom's state news agency.

The same penalty applies to anyone who transports visit visa holders to Makkah during this period to perform Hajj and those who offer accommodations to these violators in hotels, apartments, etc.

The Ministry also said that visa overstayers and those who infiltrate to perform Hajj without a permit will be deported and prevented from entering Saudi Arabia for 10 years.

Any land means of transportation used to transfer violators to the holy sites will be seized, it said.