Minister Warns Indonesians Not to Undertake Hajj Without Official Visa: Risk of 10-Year Blacklist!

Minister of Hajj and Umrah (Menhaj) Mochamad Irfan Yusuf, known as Gus Irfan, has warned Indonesian citizens (WNI) against attempting to perform Hajj without using an official Hajj visa.

“We hope there will be no more Indonesian citizens departing for Hajj without using an official Hajj visa,” said Gus Irfan during a press conference on Wednesday, 15 April 2026.

Gus Irfan then revealed that he had received information from the Ministry of Immigration indicating that 1,000 people had been detained or prevented from departing because they did not have a Hajj visa.

“In Saudi Arabia, there are even more—many more who have already entered Saudi Arabia but cannot enter Mecca because they lack a Hajj visa. They only have pilgrimage visas or work visas,” he explained.

Gus Irfan noted that the Saudi Arabian government is conducting stricter inspections of Hajj pilgrims this year.

“There will certainly be checks at several points. Therefore, we hope that Indonesian citizens without a Hajj visa will not depart,” said Gus Irfan.

He expressed concern that problems could arise if Indonesians insist on going for Hajj without holding an official Hajj visa. One of the risks, he said, is being blacklisted for 10 years.

“If they manage to depart and go there, they will definitely be rejected entry. Secondly, there is the possibility of a fine. Thirdly, they will be deported. And even worse, they will be blacklisted for 10 years from being able to depart again to Saudi Arabia,” explained Gus Irfan.

Previously, it was reported that the Saudi Arabian government, through the Ministry of Interior, has implemented a policy restricting access to the Holy City of Mecca starting Monday, 13 April 2026.

This policy is part of the arrangements ahead of the Hajj pilgrimage for 1447 H/2026.

In response to the policy, the Spokesperson for the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, Ichsan Marsha, stated that this is a routine measure enforced ahead of the Hajj season to ensure the quality of pilgrimage services remains maintained.

“The Saudi Arabian government applies access controls to Mecca every year ahead of the peak Hajj season. This is important to ensure that the pilgrimage is conducted safely, orderly, and in accordance with the established capacity,” said Ichsan Marsha in his statement on Monday, 13 April 2026.