Saudi Arabia: A fine of up to SR 100,000 imposed on those facilitating unauthorized Hajj pilgrims

Dubai: A fine of up to 100,000 Saudi riyals will be imposed on anyone who requests a visit visa for a person who performs or attempts to perform Hajj without an official permit, Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Interior announced.

The penalties apply to unauthorized entry, presence, or attempts to stay in Mecca and the sacred sites from the first day of Dhul Qa’dah through the fourteenth day of Dhul-Hijjah.

The ministry clarified that fines multiply based on the number of individuals for whom such visas are issued and who violate the pilgrimage regulations.

Authorities called on citizens and residents to adhere strictly to the rules designed to ensure the safety and smooth performance of Hajj rituals.

As part of its ongoing efforts, 12 individuals, seven expatriate residents and five Saudi nationals, were arrested at Mecca’s entry points for transporting 33 unauthorized pilgrims without valid permits.

Penalties issued by seasonal administrative committees include prison sentences, fines reaching SR100,000, public disclosure of violators’ identities, deportation for non-Saudis, and a 10-year ban on re-entry following completion of sentences.

Additionally, anyone attempting to perform Hajj without authorization faces fines up to SR20,000.

The Ministry of Interior emphasized that holders of visit visas, including tourism, family, and business categories, are prohibited from undertaking Hajj, with violators subject to fines, deportation, and long-term entry bans.

To safeguard pilgrims and uphold the sanctity of the pilgrimage, the ministry urged the public to report violations by calling 911 in Mecca, Medina, Riyadh, and the Eastern Province, or 999 elsewhere across the Kingdom.

 Huda Ata is an independent writer based in the UAE