New rule: Hajj visa limited to Madina, Mecca and Jeddah, no work permits
Saudi Arabia says all international visitors must obtain Hajj visa to perform annual pilgrimage
Dubai: Saudi Arabia has warned international visitors that they must take Hajj visa to perform Hajj as they are not allowed to do so on regular visit or tourist visa.
Also, the Saudi authorities made it clear that a Hajj visa is valid only to perform Hajj and holders are not allowed to work. The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah further clarified that the holders of Hajj visas can travel within the vicinity of Jeddah, Medina, and Mecca. They are not allowed to visit other cities.
Violators can face fines, deportation in addition to ban on future Haj participation.
The Ministry clarified that all international visitors, except those from GCC countries—who require a Hajj permit—must obtain a Hajj visa.
Validity of Haj visa
The visa is only valid for the duration of the Hajj season, and holders are not allowed to perform Umrah during this time or engage in any employment, paid or unpaid. To facilitate the process, the official website of the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah now offers electronic registration for the Hajj visa through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' visa platform.
How to apply
Applicants must register by the 7th of Dhu al-Haj or until the quota of pilgrims is exhausted. The application process includes logging into the visa platform, selecting the appropriate services, and following the instructions to upload necessary documents.
Applications are typically processed within three working days, and it is advised to apply well in advance to ensure compliance with all regulations.
All international pilgrims must apply for the Saudi Hajj visa through travel agents authorized by the Saudi Arabia Ministry of Hajj & Umrah. GCC citizens, who can travel to Saudi Arabia without a visa, must still obtain a Hajj permit, in order to be allowed to perform the Hajj.
General Guidelines
Travelers must carry vaccination certificates with them for inspection by the Saudi Authority at port of entry.
No food products are allowed into the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The last day to enter the King Abdulaziz Airport in Jeddah for the purpose of Hajj is 4 Dhu'l-Hijjah of each year.
Upon arrival, pilgrims shall hand their passports to the custody of the Unified Agents Office representatives to enable the latter to complete all travel formalities to Makkah and Madinah.
In the event that pilgrims lose their passport, they should immediately report the loss to the same office appointed to take care of them during Hajj. Applicants must obtain a report from the the Unified Agents Office in which the loss of passport is mentioned.
All pilgrims must leave the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia after Hajj no later than the 10th of Muharram of each year. The rules and regulations of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia forbid any pilgrims from staying in the country after the completion of Hajj.