New Rules Starting Tuesday
Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Interior has new rules. These rules start on Tuesday and will last until about June 10. If people break the Hajj permit rules, they will face penalties.
Fines for Unauthorized Hajj
If someone tries to perform Hajj without a permit, they can be fined up to SR20,000 (about $5,331). This fine also applies to anyone with a visit visa who tries to enter or stay in Makkah city and other holy sites during this time.
Fines for Assisting Others
If you help someone get a visit visa who then tries to perform Hajj without a permit, you can be fined up to SR100,000. This fine will increase for each person involved. The same fine applies to anyone who takes or tries to take visit visa holders to Makkah or provides them with shelter, including hotels, apartments, or any place where they can stay.
Additional legal actions include:
People who sneak into Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj without permission will be sent back to their countries. They will not be allowed to enter Saudi Arabia for ten years. If someone uses a vehicle to transport visit visa holders to Makkah during this time, that vehicle can be taken away. This rule applies to the owner of the vehicle and anyone helping them.
