Ministry of Interior announces the penalties to be imposed on those who violate the regulations requiring a permit to perform Hajj, and on those who facilitate such violations.

In preparation for Hajj season 1447 AH, and to ensure the safety of pilgrims and enable them to perform their rituals in security, ease, and peace, the Ministry of Interior announces the penalties to be imposed on violators of the regulations requiring a permit to perform Hajj, as follows:

First:

A fine of up to SAR (20,000) shall be imposed on:

1- Any individual found performing or attempting to perform Hajj without a permit.

2- Any holder of any type of visit visa who enters, attempts to enter, or remains in the city of Makkah or the Holy Sites, from (1) Dhul-Qa’dah to (14) Dhul-Hijjah.

Second:

A fine of up to SAR (100,000) shall be imposed on:

Any person who applies for the issuance of a visit visa of any type for an individual who performs or attempts to perform Hajj without a permit, or who enters or remains in the city of Makkah or the Holy Sites during the period from (1) Dhul-Qa’dah to (14) Dhul-Hijjah. The fine shall be multiplied depending on the number of people to whom a visit visa of all types has been issued, and who have performed or attempted to perform Hajj without a permit or enter or remain in the Holy City of Makkah and the Holy Sites.

Any person who transports holders of visit visas, or attempts to transport them, with the intention of delivering them to the city of Makkah and the Holy Sites, starting from the day (1) of Dhu al-Qi’dah until the end of the (14th) day of Dhu al-Hijjah.

Any person who provides accommodation, or attempts to provide accommodation, to holders of visit visas of all types in any place designated for lodging (including hotels, apartments, private residences, shelters, Hajj accommodation facilities, and others), or conceals them, or offers any form of assistance that enables them to remain in the city of Makkah and the Holy Sites, starting from the first day of Dhu al-Qi’dah until the end of the 14th day of Dhu al-Hijjah. Fines shall be multiplied according to the number of violators who are accommodated, concealed, or assisted.

Third:

Deporting infiltrators, including residents and those who overstay their visas, back to their countries and banning them from entering the Kingdom for (10) years.

Fourth:

Requesting the competent court to rule to confiscate the land transport vehicle that is proven to have been used to transport all types of visit visas holders to Makkah and the holy sites, starting from 1-11-1447 until the end of 14-12-1447, and which was owned by the transporter, the contributor, or the accomplice with him.

The Ministry affirmed the right of any person against whom a penalty decision is issued to file a grievance within a period not exceeding thirty (30) days from the date of being notified of the decision, before the competent committee. It also confirmed the right to appeal the committee’s decision before the Administrative Court within sixty (60) days from the date of notification of the committee’s decision.