The Hajj season has officially begun, and Saudi authorities have imposed a ban on entry into Makkah without a valid permit starting Wednesday, April 23.

According to the General Directorate of Passports (Jawazat), the Ministry of Interior has launched a new “Tasreeh Portal” on the Absher and Muqeem platforms, allowing residents to obtain official Makkah entry permits.

Under the new regulations, residents of the Kingdom will not be allowed to enter the holy city unless they possess one of the following: a valid work permit for Makkah, a residency permit (Iqama) issued in Makkah, or an official Hajj permit.

The Ministry of Interior has stated that anyone attempting to enter the city without proper documentation will be turned back at security checkpoints.

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Meanwhile, the Ministry of Hajj has warned foreign pilgrims on Umrah visas to return to their home countries before their visa expires. It emphasised that performing Hajj on an Umrah visa is strictly prohibited.

The new measures are part of the Kingdom’s efforts to ensure the smooth organisation of the Hajj pilgrimage and full enforcement of this year’s regulations.