Saudi Arabia Restricts Access to Mecca Starting 13 April, Only Licensed Hajj Pilgrims Allowed Entry

The Saudi Arabian government, through the Ministry of Interior, has established a policy restricting access to the holy city of Mecca for anyone without an official permit starting Monday (13/4/2026). This policy is implemented as a measure to regulate preparations ahead of the Hajj pilgrimage for the year 1447 Hijriah or 2026 CE, which begins this April. “This step is a routine policy applied ahead of the Hajj season to ensure the quality of worship services remains maintained,” stated Spokesperson for the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, Ichsan Marsha, in a press statement on Monday. Based on these provisions, only pilgrims meeting specific criteria are permitted to enter the Mecca region. Anyone not fulfilling the above requirements will be denied entry and asked to return at the checkpoints scattered across the entrances to the city of Mecca. In addition to these restrictions, the Saudi Arabian government has set the deadline for Umrah pilgrims’ departure from Saudi Arabia as 18 April 2026. “The issuance of Umrah permits through the Nusuk platform will be temporarily halted from 18 April to 31 May 2026,” said Ichsan. These entry restrictions to Mecca also implement the principle of “No Hajj Without Permission,” which the Saudi Arabian government has consistently applied to maintain order, security, and safety in the conduct of the Hajj pilgrimage.