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| Source: Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah Facebook page. Hajj without a permit exposes individuals to penalties and regulatory accountability. |
The ministry stressed that Hajj can only be performed by domestic pilgrims who have an official permit, and pilgrims from overseas with a regular Hajj visa. All other types of visas do not enable their holders to perform the pilgrimage. It also said that scams should be reported immediately.
The Ministry said that there are penalties against anyone who violates Hajj instructions, including those caught attempting to perform Hajj without a permit. Violators will be subject to a fine of up to SR20,000. The same fine will also be applied to holders of all types of visit visas if they enter or attempt to enter Makkah Al-Mukarramah or remain there during the period from 1 Dhu al-Qidah until the end of 14 Dhu al-Hijjah.
Those who aid violaters will also be punished, with fines going as high as as SR100,000. There are penalties for facilitating visit visas for individuals who perform or attempt to perform Hajj without a permit, or for transporting, sheltering, or concealing them. Fines will be multiplied according to the number of violaters.
Additional penalties include the deportation of trespassing residents and a 10-year ban from entering the country, as well as the confiscation of any land transportation vehicle proven to have been used in transporting holders of all types of visit visas to the city of Makkah Al-Mukarramah and the holy sites.
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