The Saudi Arabian Ministry of Interior has announced penalties for people who break the rules regarding the Hajj pilgrimage in 2025. This includes both individuals who attempt to perform Hajj without a permit and those who help them do so.

The new penalties, announced on April 28, will be in effect from April 29 (the start of Dhul-Qi'dah, the 11th month in the Islamic calendar) until June 10 (the end of Dhul-Hijjah, the 12th month in the Islamic calendar).
Dhul-Qi'dah is the 11th month, and Dhul-Hijjah is the 12th and final month of the Islamic year when the Hajj pilgrimage happens in Mecca and Medina.

List of penalties

Performing Hajj without a permit

A fine of up to Saudi Riyals 20,000 (INR 4,53,707) will be charged to individuals found performing or trying to perform Hajj without a permit. This also applies to visitors holding any type of visit visa who try to enter or stay in Mecca city and the holy sites during the specified time.

Helping someone for Hajj without a permit

Anyone who helps another person perform Hajj without a permit will face a fine of up to Saudi Riyals 100,000 (INR 22,68,536). This includes individuals who apply for visit visas for someone attempting Hajj without a permit, or those who assist them in entering or staying in Mecca city and the holy sites during the allowed period.

The fine will increase for each person involved. The same penalty will apply to anyone who transports or tries to transport visit visa holders to Mecca and the holy sites during the restricted period. It also applies to those who provide shelter to these visa holders in any form of accommodation, including hotels, apartments, or private homes. 

Transporting visit visa holders to Mecca

Anyone who tries to transport visiting visa holders to Mecca and the holy sites during the restricted period will face a fine of up to 100,000 Saudi Riyals (around 22.6 lakh INR). The same fine will apply to people who shelter or try to shelter these visa holders in any place, such as hotels, apartments, private homes, or special Hajj accommodations.

Illegal infiltration

Anyone trying to perform Hajj without proper authorization, including residents or overstayers, will be deported to their home country and banned from entering Saudi Arabia for ten years.

Confiscation of vehicles

The court will be asked to take away land vehicles that are used to transport visit visa holders to Mecca and the holy sites if the vehicles belong to the transporter, facilitator, or anyone involved.

Hajj 2025

Hajj 2025 is expected to take place from June 4 to June 9, 2025, depending on the sighting of the moon. The pilgrimage will mark the beginning of Zil-Hajj, the 12th month of the Islamic calendar. Pilgrims are likely to begin their journey to Saudi Arabia towards the end of April.

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