Access to Mecca Restricted Starting 13 April: Check the Full Regulations!
The Saudi Arabian government is tightening regulations ahead of the 1447 Hijriah Hajj pilgrimage, equivalent to 2026 CE, to ensure the safety, comfort, and order of pilgrims.
The latest policy restricts entry to Mecca for anyone without an official permit from their home country.
In addition to the Mecca access restriction, the Saudi government has set several further policies, including a deadline for Umrah pilgrims’ departures.
This policy is part of the preparations for the 2026 Hajj, which will begin this April.
Spokesperson for the Indonesian Ministry of Religious Affairs’ Hajj and Umrah Directorate, Ichsan Marsha, stated that this access restriction is a routine policy enforced by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia ahead of the Hajj season to maintain the quality of pilgrimage services.
To ensure the smooth conduct of the Hajj, the Saudi government has set 18 April 2026 as the deadline for Umrah pilgrims to depart from Saudi Arabia.
Issuance of Umrah permits through the Nusuk platform will be temporarily halted from 18 April to 31 May 2026.
Anyone not complying with the above provisions will be denied entry and asked to return at checkpoints at the entrances to the city of Mecca.
This means that all holders of visas other than Hajj visas will not be permitted to enter or remain in Mecca during that period.
This Mecca entry restriction also implements the principle of “No Hajj Without Permission,” which the Saudi government consistently applies to maintain order, security, and the safety of the Hajj pilgrimage.
The prevalence of illegal Hajj departure schemes is one reason the Saudi government is enforcing this regulation.
Therefore, Ichsan reminds the Indonesian public not to be tempted by offers of Hajj pilgrimage through illegal channels if they do not want to face severe sanctions.
“Do not be persuaded to depart for Hajj without a Hajj visa. That is illegal; besides being denied entry to Mecca, it also risks sanctions under Saudi law,” said Ichsan.
The Indonesian Ministry of Religious Affairs reminds those intending to perform Hajj to ensure the visa used is a Hajj visa, not an Umrah visa, employment visa, tourist visa, pilgrimage visa, or any other visa besides a Hajj visa.
During the Hajj period, the Ministry coordinates with Saudi authorities to ensure the Indonesian pilgrims’ Hajj can proceed safely and smoothly.