More than 500 Egyptian nationals have been detained at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah after arriving in Saudi Arabia with transit or visit visas in an attempt to perform the annual Hajj pilgrimage without the required official permits, Saudi authorities said on Friday.
According to officials familiar with the matter, the travellers did not possess valid Hajj visas, prompting Saudi authorities to begin arrangements for their deportation back to Egypt.
Saudi Arabia had previously announced restrictions on all forms of tourist and visit visas during the Hajj season, citing the need to regulate entry flows, prevent overcrowding, and ensure the safety of registered pilgrims. Authorities have warned that violators will face penalties, including detention and deportation.
In response to the incident, Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism issued a statement urging citizens not to engage with unauthorised individuals or agencies offering unofficial pilgrimage packages. The ministry emphasised that Hajj must be undertaken exclusively through official state-approved channels.
Meanwhile in Egypt, the Airports Company confirmed that many other travellers have recently been prevented from boarding flights to Saudi Arabia under newly enforced regulations. These include the suspension of transit, tourist, and short-term work visas for the duration of the Hajj season, with the exception of diplomatic and special visa holders.
One affected flight, Flynas Flight XY588, was scheduled to depart from Egypt to Jeddah earlier this week. Of the passengers on board, only 38 were allowed to travel, while 130 were denied boarding after presenting visas no longer recognized under the updated rules.
The Egyptian Airports Company has since issued a public advisory urging travellers to verify the type and validity of their Saudi visas before heading to the airport. The company also called on passengers to follow official airline announcements and consult with accredited travel offices for the latest updates on travel requirements during the Hajj season.
The annual pilgrimage, one of the five pillars of Islam, is tightly regulated by Saudi authorities due to the logistical challenges posed by the millions of pilgrims who travel from around the world to attend.
