Saudi Arabia tightens measures against "pilgrims" without a permit

The Saudi Ministry of Interior has tightened its measures against violators of the Hajj regulations, promising to impose a fine of up to (100,000) riyals (about $27,000) against anyone who applies for the issuance of a visit visa to a person who has or attempted to perform Hajj without a permit, or to enter or stay in the holy city of Mecca and the holy sites.

In a statement today, Sunday, April 26, 2026,  the Ministry clarified that the penalties are not limited to the violator only, but extend to anyone who helps him, whether by providing a means of transportation, housing, or issuing a visit visa for the purpose of circumvention, with the possibility of doubling the penalty by multiple violators.

The ministry warned that violating residents or visitors will be deported outside the Kingdom and banned from entering Saudi Arabia for up to 10 years, in addition to the possibility of confiscating the means of transportation used in the violation if complicity is proven.

She explained that the application of these penalties starts from the first month of Dhu al-Qi'dah until the 14th of Dhu al-Hijjah, which is the period of the Hajj season, with the possibility of appealing against the decisions within 30 days, and appealing them before the court within 60 days.

The Ministry of Interior called on everyone to abide by the instructions of this year's Hajj season 1447 AH (2026), and to cooperate with the competent authorities to achieve the security and safety of the pilgrims, warning that violating the instructions exposes the perpetrators to legal penalties, and calling for the initiative to report violators.

Expected dates for Hajj 2026 (1447 AH)

  The dates of the Hajj for 2026 officially depend on the sighting of the Dhu al-Hijjah crescent, but astronomical estimates indicate that the Hajj will take place between May 24 and 29, 2026, with the possibility of a change of one or two days according to Saudi Arabia's announcement.

Based on astronomical calculations published by several Islamic sources and specialized websites, the Hajj season for 2026 is expected to be as follows:

8 Dhu al-Hijjah – Tarwiyah Day: Monday 25 May 2026

9 Dhu al-Hijjah – Arafah Day: Tuesday 26 May 2026

10 Dhu al-Hijjah – the first day of Eid al-Adha: Wednesday, May 27,  2026

Tashreeq Days (11-13 Dhu al-Hijjah): Thursday 28 May to Saturday 30 May 2026

Some sites adopt a different calendar, estimating that the Hajj will be between May 24 and 29,  2026, with the possibility that the day of Arafah will be on May 25 or 26, according to the sighting of the crescent, and other sources indicate different estimates related to the 1448 AH calendar, but they remain less reliable, because Saudi Arabia adopts its own official calendar 

Nusk is the only channel for registration

The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah confirmed that the "Nusk" platform is the only official outlet for registration, selection of packages and payment of fees, whether for pilgrims from inside or outside the Kingdom. The platform allows Muslims from minority Muslims around the world to register directly without the need for local agents.

Within the framework of improving the experience of pilgrims, the competent authorities announced the reduction of the waiting time in the timings to only 35 minutes, after developing five main timings, including Yalmalam, Al-Jahfa and Qarn Al-Manaz, in addition to enhancing health and guidance services at these sites in preparation for receiving hundreds of thousands of pilgrims.

The pilgrims' regiments started on the 18th of this month

The new measures included exemptions from some municipal fees in Mecca and Medina, the extension of the validity of bus licenses without additional fees, and the postponement of the collection of some customs fees related to transport services. These steps are part of a government plan aimed at easing the burden on operators and improving the quality of services provided to pilgrims.

Several Muslim countries have begun sending their first missions, with Nigeria dedicating six A330 aircraft  to transport more than 12,000 pilgrims, while  Pakistan began flights on April 18 with the addition of a new flight route from Lahore to Saudi Arabia. Bangladesh has also reduced Hajj ticket prices and provided additional facilities for its 78,000 pilgrims.

Despite recent regional tensions, Saudi authorities have maintained that the airspace is safe and flights are running normally, and the temporary truce between the United States and Iran has helped ease concerns about air and maritime navigation during the Hajj season.