Saudi Arabia has announced severe penalties for anyone attempting to perform Hajj without an official permit in 2026, with fines reaching 100,000 Saudi Riyals (approximately $26,600) and deportation with a 10-year re-entry ban. The Kingdom's "no Hajj without a permit" policy is being enforced through checkpoints, citizen reporting, and vehicle confiscation powers.

Fines for Individual Violators

Any person caught performing or attempting to perform Hajj without an official permit faces a fine of up to 20,000 SAR (approximately $5,300). This applies to anyone holding a visit visa who enters or remains in Makkah or the Holy Sites during the restricted period - from the first day of Dhul Qi'dah through the 14th of Dhul Hijjah (April 19 to June 2, 2026).

Residents and overstayers found attempting to perform Hajj illegally will be deported to their home countries and barred from re-entering Saudi Arabia for 10 years.

Heavier Penalties for Facilitators

The harshest penalties target those who facilitate illegal Hajj:

  • Up to 100,000 SAR for anyone who applies for a visit visa for a person who performs or attempts Hajj without a permit
  • Up to 100,000 SAR for transporting or attempting to transport visit visa holders to Makkah and the Holy Sites during the season
  • Up to 100,000 SAR for sheltering visa holders in hotels, apartments, private residences, or pilgrim housing
  • Fines are multiplied per person involved - facilitating 5 illegal pilgrims could mean 500,000 SAR in fines
  • Courts may order confiscation of vehicles used to transport violators

How Enforcement Works

Entry to Makkah has been restricted since April 13, 2026. Only individuals with a valid Hajj permit, Makkah residency ID, or holy sites work permit may enter the city. Checkpoints on roads leading into Makkah verify documentation.

Citizens can report violations by calling 911 in the Makkah region. Violators may appeal fines within 30 days to a competent committee, and further to the Administrative Court within 60 days.

Why These Rules Exist

During the 2025 Hajj, 1,673,230 pilgrims performed the pilgrimage. Managing crowd safety at this scale requires precise control over numbers at each ritual site. Unauthorised pilgrims strain services, create unpredictable crowd surges, and put both themselves and legitimate pilgrims at risk - particularly at the Jamarat and in Mina's tent city.

What Pilgrims Should Know

If you have a valid Hajj visa and permit, you have nothing to worry about - keep your documentation accessible at all times. If you are in Saudi Arabia on a visit or tourist visa and are considering performing Hajj without a permit, be aware that the consequences are severe and enforcement is active. The risk is not worth it - a 10-year ban means missing multiple future Hajj opportunities.

Those on Umrah visas should have departed the Kingdom by April 18. Anyone remaining on an expired Umrah visa is at risk of deportation and penalties.