Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has introduced a series of new regulations governing this year’s pilgrimage, outlining strict conditions for both citizens and expatriates.
The directives prioritise first-time pilgrims while enforcing stringent measures to ensure compliance with safety and procedural protocols.
According to the new guidelines:
- Priority for Hajj registration will be given to those who have never performed the pilgrimage before, although this condition will be relaxed for designated guides.
- To register for Hajj, Saudi nationals must possess a valid national ID, while expatriates must ensure that their residency permits remain valid until the 10th of Dhul Hijjah.
- Providing false information during registration will result in immediate cancellation of the application.
- Once the Hajj programme commences, registered pilgrims who choose to withdraw will not be eligible for a refund of their payments.
Saudi authorities emphasised that these measures have been implemented to safeguard pilgrims and ensure the smooth facilitation of Hajj.
Pilgrims will be required to adhere to all prescribed health and safety regulations, including movement restrictions, gathering protocols, and accommodation directives at the sacred sites.
Failure to comply with these regulations may result in punitive action, the authorities warned, reiterating the importance of following the stipulated guidelines to ensure an orderly and secure pilgrimage experience.
