
Saudi authorities have introduced reinforced sanctions for Hajj 2026 to ensure compliance with access rules for holy sites. The Ministry of Interior announced these measures on April 14, 2026, targeting individuals without official pilgrimage permits or those attempting to access Mecca and sacred sites with visit visas between April 18 and May 31. Penalties include fines up to 20,000 Saudi riyals for lacking a permit. More severe financial sanctions, potentially reaching 100,000 riyals, will be imposed on those who facilitate unauthorized Hajj attempts, including individuals who requested visit visas for such purposes, or those involved in transporting, accommodating, or assisting unauthorized pilgrims. Fines will be cumulative based on the number of individuals involved. Additionally, undocumented pilgrims, whether residents or irregular visitors, will face deportation and a ten-year ban from entering Saudi Arabia. The Hajj 2026 season is scheduled to run from May 18 to May 30.
Free daily or weekly digest of the most important stories from across 10 countries. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Business News.