Visit Visa holders to be denied entry to Makkah and here’s why

MAKKAH – Saudi Arabia’s government has issued a clarification, stating that visit visa holders are not permitted to perform Hajj while in the kingdom.

The interior ministry of the country has announced that individuals holding visit visas will be prohibited from entering or residing in Makkah during the Hajj season.

During the period between May 23 and June 21, only pilgrims having Hajj permits will be allowed entry into Makkah. Violators of these regulations will face penalties, the ministry emphasized.

Visit visas, the ministry stressed, do not allow holders the right to participate in Hajj, urging current visitors in Saudi Arabia to refrain from traveling to Makkah during the specified timeframe.

Earlier announcements from the Ministry of Interior revealed plans to impose fines of $2,666 on anyone, including Saudi citizens, found entering Makkah without a Hajj permit between June 2 and June 20.

In preparation for the annual Hajj pilgrimage, the Saudi government has also suspended the issuance of Umrah visas. The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah confirmed the decision via the social media platform, with visa issuance to remain suspended from May 23 until June 21.

Meanwhile, all categories of tourist visa holders are barred from entering Makkah during this period to facilitate the influx of pilgrims arriving in the kingdom from different countries across the world.

Saudi Arabia has reiterated that only holders of Hajj visas are permitted to perform the pilgrimage, warning of severe punishment for violators. The government has also revamped its system with the inclusion of technology and applications to facilitate the pilgrims and authorities alike.

The introduction of the Nusuk application by Saudi Arabia aims to streamline the process for Umrah pilgrims to obtain permits to enter the Two Holy Mosques conveniently.

The Saudi government anticipates welcoming over 2 million pilgrims from across the world and has made extensive arrangements accordingly; the total number of seats allocated to Pakistan this year was over 179,000.