Don't try to enter these places during Hajj Season without Permit

Update (November 2026): The dates and the SAR 10,000 fine below were for Hajj 2021 (1442 AH) and have expired. The current rules are summarised here; the Ministry of Interior announces the exact dates for each season.

Current rules (Hajj 1447 AH / 2026)

• Fine of up to SAR 20,000 for anyone performing or attempting to perform Hajj without a permit, and for any visit-visa holder who enters, tries to enter or stays in Makkah or the holy sites, from 1 Dhul-Qadah to 14 Dhul-Hijjah
• Residents and overstayers caught attempting Hajj without a permit are deported and banned from re-entering Saudi Arabia for 10 years
• Fine of up to SAR 100,000 (plus jail and possible vehicle confiscation) for anyone who transports violators or applies for a visit visa for someone who uses it for Hajj
• In 2026, residents needed an entry permit for Makkah from 25 Shawwal (13 April 2026). Holders of a Makkah-issued iqama, a Hajj permit, or a holy-sites work permit issued through Absher/Muqeem were exempt.
• Report violators on 911 (Makkah, Madinah, Riyadh, Eastern Province) or 999 (other regions)

For Hajj 2027 (1448 AH), expected around mid-May 2027, watch for the Ministry of Interior’s announcement — the restriction period has been 1 Dhul-Qadah to 14 Dhul-Hijjah in recent years.

What was announced in 2021

Saudi Arabia announced that anyone who tries to enter Makkah Grand Mosque, the central area around it and the sites (Mina, Muzdalifah, Arafat) without a permit, starting from 05 July 2021 (11/25/1442 AH) until 24 July 2021 (End of 13th of Dhul-Hijjah) would be fined SAR 10,000, and in the event of a repeat violation, the penalty would be doubled.

The authorities called on all citizens and residents to abide by the instructions for that Hajj season, stressing at the same time that the security men will carry out their duties in all roads and corridors leading to the Grand Mosque and the holy sites to prevent and control violations and apply penalties against all violators.

Sources: Saudi Press Agency — Fine of up to SAR20,000 for anyone performing Hajj without permit (25 May 2026); Interior Ministry Hajj 1447 arrangements (13 April 2026); Penalties for transporters, up to SAR 100,000 (17 May 2026)