Saudi Arabia Restricts Makkah Entry Ahead of Hajj

Saudi Arabia has imposed strict entry restrictions on Makkah effective Monday, April 13, 2026, barring expatriates and residents without authorized permits as preparations accelerate for the upcoming Hajj season. The measures, announced by the Ministry of Interior, limit access to the holy city to individuals holding a Makkah-issued residency permit, a valid Hajj permit, or an official work authorization for the holy sites. Security checkpoints on routes to Makkah will enforce these rules, turning back those without proper documentation.

The restrictions align with the "No Hajj without a permit" campaign, aimed at regulating pilgrim movement and enhancing safety during the peak period. Officials stated that the initiative seeks to prevent overcrowding and unauthorized participation, drawing on lessons from previous years when large gatherings posed logistical challenges. From April 18, corresponding to Dhul Qada 1, entry into Makkah will be exclusively for Hajj visa holders, prohibiting all other visa categories, including tourists and Umrah pilgrims, from entering or remaining in the city.

Foreign pilgrims on Umrah visas must depart the kingdom by April 18, marking the final...