Saudi Arabia Sets New Entry Rules for Mecca Before Hajj

Saudi Arabia has introduced strict new rules for people wanting to enter the holy city of Mecca ahead of the upcoming Hajj season. These rules are meant to keep the large crowds under control and to make sure that the pilgrimage happens safely and peacefully for everyone involved.

The Ministry of Interior has announced that starting April 29, 2025, only people who have official Hajj permits will be allowed to enter or stay in Mecca. This new rule applies to everyone, including Saudi citizens, residents, and visitors from other countries.

In addition, from April 23, 2025 (which matches 25 Shawwal 1446 on the Islamic calendar), expatriates—that means people who live in Saudi Arabia but are originally from other countries—will not be allowed to enter Mecca unless they have a valid Hajj permit.

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These rules are part of a bigger plan to keep things organized during Hajj, which is one of the most important religious events in Islam. Every year, millions of Muslims travel to Mecca to take part in this special pilgrimage.

Only three groups of people will be allowed to enter Mecca during this time:

1. People who live in Mecca and have it listed on their national ID.

2. People who have a valid Hajj permit.

3. Workers who have official permission to work in the holy areas during Hajj.

If someone wants to apply for one of these permits, they can do so online through the Absher Individuals platform or the Muqeem portal. These are websites where people in Saudi Arabia can handle official government services.

The government also said that starting from April 29, it will pause the issuing of Umrah permits. Umrah is another type of pilgrimage that Muslims can do at any time of the year. This pause affects Saudi citizens, residents, people from Gulf countries (GCC), and other visitors. The suspension of Umrah permits will last until June 10, 2025 (which is 14 Dhul-Hijjah 1446 in the Islamic calendar).

Authorities made it clear that anyone trying to enter Mecca without the correct documents will be stopped and could face legal punishment. All companies and workers involved in helping pilgrims during Hajj have also been told to follow these rules carefully.

In a public message, the Ministry of Interior said, “The safety and respect of Hajj are very important to us. We ask everyone to work together so that the pilgrimage can be peaceful and well-organized for all.”

This year, more than two million people are expected to travel to Mecca for Hajj. In recent years, Saudi Arabia has been using more digital tools and stricter rules to make the pilgrimage smoother and safer for everyone.

These new steps show how seriously the country is taking the responsibility of hosting the millions of Muslims who come from all around the world to perform this important religious duty.