Under the Interior Ministry’s ‘No Hajj without a permit’ campaign, entry to Makkah was restricted from 13 April 2026 to Hajj-permit holders, Makkah-issued iqama holders, and holy-site work-permit holders; checkpoints turned others back. Umrah pilgrims had to exit by 18 April 2026, and from 18 April only Hajj-visa holders could enter or stay in Makkah. Penalties: up to SR 20,000 for a visit-visa holder entering Makkah; up to SR 10,000 for individuals without permits; up to SR 50,000–100,000 plus 6 months’ prison for transporters and hosts; deportation for expatriate offenders. Permits were issued digitally via Absher, Muqeem and Tasreeh.
What it means for you: this is the single most consequential seasonal rule for the roughly 13 million expats in Saudi Arabia — including residents of Jeddah and Riyadh who simply travel to Makkah — and the same pattern returns before the next Hajj, so plan permits early.
Sources: https://www.arabnews.com/saudi-arabia/saudi-arabia-steps-up-with-operational-plan-to-enhance-pilgrims-services-during-hajj-2644294, https://www.gulf-insider.com/saudi-arabia-bans-expatriates-without-permit, https://www.saudi-expatriates.com/2026/04/makkah-entry-ban-without-permit-hajj.html. Related: Iqama renewal fees.