Once Again, the Issue of Non-Quota Hajj Visas
Every Hajj season, the issue of ‘Non-Quota Hajj Visas’ always comes to the forefront. This phenomenon frequently results in serious legal problems, from the deportation of pilgrims to criminal offences for the organisers.
Non-Quota Hajj Visas (such as Visa Mujamalah or Furoda) are official invitation visas directly from the Saudi Arabian Government, not from the national quota, which are valid for performing Hajj without queuing. Their validity: Visa Mujamalah/Furoda is valid under Saudi law and recognised by Indonesian law, but misuse often occurs.
In April 2026, the government emphasised caution regarding offers of non-quota Hajj and confirmed that only official Hajj visas are valid, not pilgrimage/tourist visas. To understand this issue objectively, a clear legal construction is needed based on applicable regulations in Indonesia.
Two Categories of Visas
In positive Indonesian law, the main reference for organising Hajj worship is the Hajj and Umrah Worship Organisation Law (UU PIHU), which explicitly classifies types of Hajj visas into two major categories to provide legal certainty and protection for pilgrims.
The first category is the national quota visa. This quota consists of regular Hajj managed by the government and special Hajj managed by Special Hajj Worship Organisers (PIHK). Both are sourced from the official quota allocation given by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Government to the Indonesian Government.
The second category is the non-quota visa, known as Visa Mujamalah (Furoda). This is an official invitation visa from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Government outside the national quota, which, although technically under the full authority of the Saudi side, is still regulated in UU PIHU so that the pilgrims’ departure must go through PIHK to ensure adequate service standards and supervision while in the holy land.
Jurisdically, Visa Mujamalah is a valid instrument formally recognised in the Indonesian legal system, positioning it as a form of respect for the official invitation from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Government to certain individuals outside the national quota.
Although this visa is the prerogative right of the Saudi government, its legality in the context of protecting Indonesian citizens is not absolute without conditions. The law requires pilgrims using Visa Mujamalah to depart through Special Hajj Worship Organisers (PIHK) and report their departure to the Minister of Religious Affairs.
This requirement is enforced so that the state can still carry out its supervisory function and ensure that pilgrims receive service standards, security, and legal protection equivalent to those of official quota Hajj pilgrims, to minimise the risk of neglect or malpractice by irresponsible parties.