Saudi Arabia Starts SR50,000 Fines and Deporting Expats Over Hajj Violations
Saudi Arabia has introduced and is enforcing penalties for violating Hajj permits.
The Public Security Department has started enforcing penalties for those violating Hajj regulations and instructions without a Hajj permit in the city of Makkah, the central area, the holy sites, the Haramain train station, security checkpoints, screening centres, and temporary security checkpoints.
This will be in effect from Sunday, June 2, 2024, until June 20, 2024.
The Public Security Department confirmed the imposition of a fine of SR10,000 ($2,666) on anyone found violating Hajj regulations without a permit, applicable to citizens, residents, and visitors within the geographic area without a Hajj permit.
Additionally, residents will be deported to their home countries and barred from re-entering the Kingdom for specified periods as stipulated by law.
The Public Security Department also emphasised that repeat offenders will face a double fine, stressing the importance of adhering to Hajj regulations and instructions to ensure that the guests of Allah can perform their rituals in safety, security, comfort, and peace.
Moreover, the penalty for anyone caught transporting Hajj violators without a permit is imprisonment for up to six months and a fine of up to SR50,000 ($13,330).
There will also be a demand for the confiscation of the vehicle used in the offence by a court order.
If the violator is a resident, he will be deported after serving the sentence and barred from re-entering the Kingdom for specified periods as stipulated by law.
The financial fine will be multiplied according to the number of transported violators.
To report such violations, contact (911) in the Makkah, Riyadh, and Eastern regions, or (999) in other regions of Saudi Arabia.
