Beware of Illegal Hajj, Ministry of Hajj and Indonesian Consulate General Emphasise Importance of Official Visas

REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA – The Ministry of Hajj and the Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia (KJRI) in Jeddah have reminded the public to be wary of various methods of illegal Hajj departures, following the increasingly stringent policies of the Saudi Arabian government regarding the organisation of the Hajj pilgrimage.

“It is important for the public to understand that the Saudi Arabian government only recognises official Hajj visas as valid documents for performing the Hajj pilgrimage,” said the Director General of Hajj and Umrah Organiser Development at the Ministry of Hajj, Puji Raharjo, in his statement on Saturday (4/4/2026).

The statement was delivered by Puji after holding a meeting with the Consul General of Indonesia in Jeddah, Yusron B Ambary, at the KJRI Jeddah office. Both parties agreed to strengthen public education so that Indonesian citizens (WNI) do not fall into non-procedural Hajj practices.

The Consul General of Indonesia in Jeddah, Yusron B Ambary, reminded the public to ensure the type of visa they possess before departing and not to be tempted by promises of quick Hajj routes.

“The public should not be easily swayed by promises of quick routes. Visitation visas, tourist visas, or other documents outside the regulations cannot be used for Hajj. Only Hajj visas designated by Saudi authorities are accepted,” said Yusron.

This warning is not without reason, he said, as Saudi security forces have repeatedly taken action against Indonesian citizens attempting to perform Hajj using non-Hajj visas. The KJRI Jeddah has recorded various cases of pilgrims being arrested for using fake Hajj attire, fake identity cards, to visas with data that does not match the holder’s passport.