Departing for Hajj Without an Official Visa Could Result in a 10-Year Blacklist by Saudi Arabia!

Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - Minister of Hajj and Umrah Mochammad Irfan Yusuf Hasyim (Gus Irfan) has warned all Indonesian citizens not to depart for Saudi Arabia to perform the Hajj pilgrimage without a Hajj visa. According to him, such actions will harm the individuals involved.

“The Saudi government is increasingly tightening the Hajj process. We hope that no more Indonesian citizens will depart for Hajj without using an official Hajj visa,” said Gus Irfan at the Bina Graha Building, Central Jakarta, on Wednesday (15/4/2026).

Last year, according to his records, around 1,000 people were detained and prevented from departing to Saudi Arabia because they did not use a Hajj visa. In addition, many individuals had already entered Saudi Arabia but were not allowed into Mecca because they lacked a Hajj visa.

“They only have pilgrimage visas or work visas. And this year, the Saudi government will be even stricter in screening or checking. There will certainly be inspections at several points,” he said.

According to him, if problems arise such as being caught by officials, it will become an issue in Saudi Arabia. Each violator could be denied entry, fined, or deported.

“And even worse, they will be blacklisted for 10 years from re-entering Saudi Arabia. Therefore, we from the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah hope for prayers from all levels of society so that the Hajj pilgrim contingents can proceed according to target,” he stated.