Visit visa holders banned in Makkah

Riyadh: Travelers to Saudi Arabia holding a visit visa will not be allowed to enter the holy city of Makkah during the Hajj season.

According to the media report, a statement issued by the Saudi Ministry of Interior said that the ban will be in effect from May 23 to June 21.

According to the Saudi Press Agency, foreigners in Saudi Arabia with visit visas have been requested not to travel to Makkah during the specified period.

The Ministry of Interior warned that anyone intending to perform the Hajj rituals in Makkah must bring a permit as it will not be allowed to perform the Hajj on a visit visa.

Saudi officials said violators would face severe punishment and heavy fines.

The Ministry of Interior wrote in the X post: “Persons holding any type of visa other than Hajj visa will face legal action if they try to enter Makkah or are found inside Makkah”.

According to the Saudi Gazette, traveling without a Hajj permit in certain areas of Makkah may be fined such as the city of Makkah, the central Haram area, the holy sites of Mina, Arafat and Muzdalifah, the Haram train station in Rasafa, security control centres, pilgrim grouping centers and temporary security control centres.

Anyone caught transporting pilgrims to Makkah without a Hajj permit will be jailed for six months with a penalty of 50,000 Saudi Riyals.