The Saudi Ministry of Interior has announced penalties for those attempting Hajj without a permit, including fines for violators, facilitators, transporters, and those providing shelter. Illegal infiltrators will be deported and banned for ten years. The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) confirmed that the airlift for Nigerian pilgrims for the 2025 Hajj will begin on May 9.

The Saudi Ministry of Interior has announced penalties for individuals who violate regulations requiring a permit to perform Hajj, as well as for those who facilitate such violations.

According to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), the ministry stated that these penalties will be enforced from the 1st of Dhul-Qi’dah until the 14th of Dhul-Hijjah.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) explains that “Dhul-Qi’dah and Dhul-Hijjah” represent the period from the first day of the 11th month in the Islamic Hijri calendar (Dhul-Qi’dah) to the last day of the 12th month (Dhul-Hijjah). This period is particularly significant as it includes the month leading up to the Hajj pilgrimage and the month in which the pilgrimage itself occurs.

The ministry declared that a fine of up to SAR 20,000 (approximately 5,332 U.S. dollars) will be imposed on individuals who attempt to perform Hajj without a valid permit, including visitors who try to enter or remain in Makkah during this designated period.

Furthermore, a second category of penalties involves a fine of SAR 100,000 (about 26,661 U.S. dollars) for anyone who applies for a visit visa on behalf of a person who has performed or attempted to perform Hajj without a permit, or who enters or stays in Makkah and its holy sites during the specified timeframe. This penalty will be multiplied for each individual involved.

The same fine applies to individuals who transport or attempt to transport visit visa holders into Makkah and the surrounding holy sites during this period. Additionally, the ministry stated that persons who shelter or attempt to shelter visit visa holders in any form of accommodation—including hotels, apartments, private residences, shelters, or Hajj pilgrims’ housing—will be fined upon being caught. This includes anyone who conceals their presence or offers assistance that enables their stay. The fine will be multiplied for each individual sheltered, concealed, or assisted.

The ministry also stated that illegal infiltrators—whether residents or visa overstayers—who attempt to perform Hajj will be deported to their countries of origin and banned from re-entering the Kingdom for ten years.

In addition, the ministry said it would request the relevant court to confiscate any land vehicles used to transport visit visa holders to Makkah or the holy sites during the prohibited period, provided the vehicles are owned by the transporter, facilitator, or their accomplices.

Meanwhile, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) also reports that the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has announced that the airlift of Nigerian pilgrims for the 2025 Hajj will commence on May 9. This was disclosed in a statement issued by Fatima Sanda Usara, Assistant Director of Information and Publication at NAHCON. According to the statement, 43,000 pilgrims have paid for the pilgrimage out of the 75,000 slots allocated to the state governments.