The Ministry of Interior announced that starting April 23, entry into the holy city of Makkah will require a special permit. This measure aims to manage the flow of pilgrims and ensure a smooth and organized Hajj experience.

The ministry also stated that all foreign nationals currently in the Kingdom on Umrah visas must leave by April 29. Staying beyond this date will be considered a violation of visa rules.

From April 23 onwards, foreign residents across Saudi Arabia will also need a permit to enter Makkah, it added.

Those traveling without a permit card will be stopped at checkpoints—such as the Al-Shumaisi checkpoint—and turned back. However, residents whose Iqamas were issued in Makkah are exempt from this requirement.

Foreign workers needing to enter Makkah for work purposes must obtain permits through the “Absher” or “Muqeem” platforms, depending on the nature of their job.

Additionally, the issuance of Umrah permits via the “Nusuk” platform will be temporarily suspended from April 29 to June 10 for citizens of GCC countries and other foreign residents in Saudi Arabia on various visa types.