Allahu Akbar! HAJ NEWS 1446Hijriah 2025

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The last day for Umrah visa holders to enter Saudi Arabia during the Hajj season is April 13, 2025.
All Umrah visa holders must also leave Saudi Arabia by April 29, 2025.
This is a measure taken in preparation for the Hajj season.

~News

 

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Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Tourism
has reiterated that individuals entering the Kingdom
on visit visas are prohibited from performing Hajj, in line with official regulations.

The reminder comes ahead of the Hajj 1446H/2025 season, urging visit visa holders to avoid penalties for violating the rules.

A fine of SR10,000 will be imposed on anyone, whether citizen, resident, or visitor, attempting to enter Makkah without a valid Hajj permit.

This includes access to key religious sites such as the Holy City, the Central Haram Area, Mina, Arafat, Muzdalifah, and the Haramain Train Station in Rusayfah, along with other pilgrimage-related locations like security control centres and temporary checkpoints.

The penalties apply to all violators, regardless of nationality or legal status, with repeat offenders facing doubled fines. These measures are part of enhanced security efforts to ensure compliance with Hajj regulations.

The Ministry emphasized the importance of adhering to all instructions for the safety and comfort of pilgrims and urged visit visa holders to respect entry conditions, review relevant regulations, and comply fully to avoid fines.

~News

 

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Ministry of Hajj and Umrah Emphasizes: 'No Hajj Without a Permit'

Hajj without permit is a sin, says Saudi Arabia’s top religious authority​

>>>The permit system is designed to regulate the massive number of pilgrims!

~News

 

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Hajj 2025: When should pilgrims make customs declaration?​

Warning issued against carrying prohibited items such as drugs, eavesdropping devices
Saudi authorities have spelt out customs regulations for the faithful to make their holy journey smooth.

The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has called on foreign Muslims set to arrive in the kingdom to perform the Hajj rites to complete a customs declaration at the ports of entry and exit if they are carrying more than SR 60,000 or its equivalent in other currencies.
The ministry has also called for completing a customs declaration when the pilgrim carries luggage and gifts in commercial quantities, the value of which exceeds SR 3,000.
Under Saudi regulations, it is also necessary to submit a customs declaration when the passenger carries items that require the approval of the competent authorities, such as pharmaceutical products

Saudi authorities have warned against possessing prohibited items during the Hajj trip, pointing out that this could cause legal troubles and disrupt the smoothness of the journey.

The Ministry of Hajj has urged pilgrims to abide by related instructions and avoid carrying unauthorised drugs, counterfeit currency, rare precious metals, and eavesdropping devices.
The ministry has advised pilgrims to visit the website of the Saudi Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (Zatca) for more details.
Hundreds of thousands of Muslims from around the world annually converge on Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj, one of Islam’s five obligatory duties, in and around the holy city of Mecca. This year’s Hajj is due to begin in early June.


~News

 

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Rainfall expected across Saudi Arabia until mid-week​

Strong winds, dust storms forecast in some areas

Most areas of Saudi Arabia are forecast to experience rainfall starting from today (Tuesday) until the middle of next week, according to the kingdom’s Met Office.
The Saudi National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) has said this weather condition may witness varying intensity of rainfall among the nation’s regions, urging the public to monitor constant updates on its official platforms and observe guidelines to ensure safety.

For Tuesday, the centre forecast that several regions in the kingdom will experience severe weather fluctuations, including strong winds, dust storms, and varying rain intensity.

Some areas are, meanwhile, anticipated to be subject to reduced visibility and the risk of flooding.

The Mecca region in western Saudi Arabia is forecast to witness moderate rainfall accompanied by strong winds with visibility to be almost zero, along with possible hail showers and flash floods.
In the Medina region, including the holy city of the same name, light rain and strong winds are expected, along with low visibility.
Thunderstorms accompanied by dust-stirring winds and reduced visibility are, moreover, expected Tuesday in parts of the Eastern Province, the Northern Borders, Ha’il, Al Qassim, and Riyadh, extending to the regions of Al Baha, Asir, and Jazan in the southwest of the kingdom.

*Further weather fluctuations are expected in parts of the kingdom in the run-up to summer, noted for extreme heat, that is more than one month away.

~News

 

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All short-term visas will be temporarily halted, including:

• Business Visit Visas (single and multiple entry)
• E-Tourist Visas
• Family Visit Visas

Suspension of affected visas will take place from Sunday, April 13, 2025. Visitors who already hold a valid short-term visa may enter Saudi Arabia until April 13, 2025, and must ensure to exit before April 29, 2025. Failure to comply will result in a fine of SAR 100,000—a significant increase from the previous penalty of SAR 25,000. Visa issuance is anticipated to resume post Dhul Hijjah 20, which falls on July 16 or 17, 2025, according to the Gregorian calendar, depending on the moon sighting. However, it is at the discretion of the authorities to extend the suspension timeline.

Important update on Umrah visas​

The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has announced that the final date for Umrah pilgrims to enter Saudi Arabia is April 13, 2025. This measure is part of preparations for the upcoming Hajj season. Pilgrims must also depart by April 29, 2025. Additionally, new guidelines for Umrah visas have been introduced, with these visas set to be available starting June 11, 2025.

It is crucial that travelers hold the correct visa for any planned travel to Saudi Arabia. Attempts to enter without the proper visa, may result in refused entry or financial penalty.

~News