The public security in Saudi Arabia has confirmed that expatriates and residents with no official permit will be barred from entering Mecca. This has come into effect from April 13th under the new Hajj season regulations, as announced by the authorities in the kingdom. Here’s all you need to know about this development coming in from Saudi Arabia regarding entry into Mecca.
Residents Without A Permit Barred From Entry In Mecca
As revealed by the Saudi Press Agency, procedures require residents to obtain entry permits, which came into effect on April 13th. Residents who have no valid permits will not be allowed to enter Mecca. This measure is applicable to those without a work permit, a Mecca issue residency ID, or a Hajj permit.
Those Without Permits Are Being Turned Back
As mentioned in the report, only individuals who have valid documentation will be given entry. Checkpoints are turning back those who failed to meet the requirements under the rules. It should be noted that authorities have set the date April 18th as the final deadline for foreign pilgrims arriving on Umrah visa to depart the kingdom. This issuance of Umrah permits via the Nusuk app will be suspended for all categories. And this includes citizens, expatriates, and GCC nationals. And it will be in place from April 18th to May 31st, as revealed by Saudi Gazette in its report.
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More About This Development
It should be noted that public security mentions how entry permits for workers during the Hajj season are issued electronically. This is done through the Absher Individuals platform and the Muqeem Portal. It is integrated with the unified Tasreeh platform for Hajj permit issuance. Authorities have urged full compliance with the regulations! They have stressed that the measures have been designed to ensure safety and smooth pilgrimage operations. Not to mention, they’ve also warned against violations, as this could lead to punitive action.
So, with this updated rule in place for entry in Mecca, make sure to know about this if you happen to be a Saudi Arabian resident.
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