These Are the Legal Penalties for Prospective Illegal Hajj Pilgrims Who Can Enter Saudi Arabia

The government has reminded of the significant risks facing prospective Hajj pilgrims who recklessly depart via illegal channels. In addition to the threat of failing to perform their worship, they also risk facing severe sanctions from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s authorities, ranging from fines to long-term entry bans. This warning was raised during a meeting between the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah and the Coordinating Ministry for Law, Human Rights, Immigration, and Corrections in Jakarta. The meeting is part of efforts to strengthen supervision ahead of the 2026 Hajj season. Assistant Deputy for Immigration Governance Coordination, Achmad Brahmantyo Machmud, emphasised that pilgrims departing illegally face serious consequences in the destination country. “Illegal pilgrims can be caught and sentenced to penalties in the form of fines or long-term travel bans,” said Brahmantyo in a press release received on Friday (3/4/2026). He also warned of various methods used, including visa misuse, such as using work visas for Hajj or Umrah worship purposes. This practice is considered highly risky as it violates Saudi Arabia’s immigration regulations. In addition to facing penalties, illegal pilgrims are also vulnerable to financial losses. The costs that must be incurred can reach around Rp 100 million per person, without guarantees of departure or protection during their time in the Holy Land. “If one illegal Hajj pilgrim pays around 100 million, that figure could reach hundreds of billions if many manage to enter Saudi Arabia,” he said.