Saudi Arabia Announces Stiff Penalties For Illegal Hajj Exercise

The Saudi Ministry of Interior has announced strict penalties for individuals who violate regulations requiring a permit to perform Hajj in the holy land, as well as those who facilitate such violations.

According to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), the penalties will take effect from Dhu al-Qi’dah 1 to the end of Dhu al-Hijjah 14, a period that encompasses the month preceding the Hajj pilgrimage and the month of the pilgrimage exercise.

The penalties include fines of up to SAR 20,000 ($5,332) for individuals attempting to perform Hajj without a permit or visitors trying to enter or stay in Makkah during this period.

Additionally, a fine of SAR 100,000 ($26,661) will be imposed on anyone who applies for a visit visa for an individual who has performed or attempted to perform Hajj without a permit.

This fine will be multiplied for each individual involved.

The ministry also warned that anyone who transports or attempts to transport visit visa holders to Makkah city and the holy sites during the specified period of the exercise will face the same fine.

Furthermore, individuals who shelter or attempt to shelter visit visa holders in any accommodations, including hotels, apartments, or private housing, will be fined, with the fine multiplying for each individual sheltered.

Those who attempt to perform Hajj without authorisation, including residents or overstayers, will face deportation to their countries and a 10-year ban from entering the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The relevant court will also be requested to confiscate land vehicles used to transport visit visa holders to Makkah city and the holy sites during the specified period if owned by the transporter, facilitator, or accomplices.

In a related development, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has announced that the airlift for Nigeria’s intending pilgrims who paid for the 2025 Hajj would commence on May 9.

According to a statement by NAHCON’s Assistant Director of Information and Publication, Fatima Sanda Usara, 43,000 pilgrims have paid for the pilgrimage.