Says only residents with official permits will be allowed into the holy city from April 13

By Sadiq Abdulfatah

Saudi Arabia has announced new entry rules for the city of Mecca, saying only residents with valid permits will be allowed into the holy city starting from April 13. The move is part of preparations for the upcoming Hajj season, when millions of pilgrims are expected to travel to the Kingdom.

The General Directorate of Public Security said anyone without the required documents will not be allowed to enter Mecca. This includes residents who do not have a work permit linked to the holy sites, those without a Mecca-issued residency card, or people without a valid Hajj permit. Authorities said these rules are meant to better organize movement and ensure security during the busy pilgrimage period.

Officials also explained that permits for residents who are working during the Hajj season will be issued electronically. This means applications and approvals will be handled digitally to make the process faster and more controlled. The system is expected to help authorities manage access to the holy city more efficiently.

In addition, the government set April 18 as the final deadline for foreign pilgrims holding Umrah visas to leave the country. After this date, entry for Umrah will be temporarily stopped for everyone, including citizens, residents, and citizens of Gulf Cooperation Council countries, until May 31.

Authorities said these restrictions are part of seasonal measures taken every year to manage the large number of visitors to Mecca during Hajj preparations. They added that the rules are aimed at ensuring safety, reducing overcrowding, and allowing smooth movement for registered pilgrims and workers involved in serving the holy sites.

Source: Arabian Gulf Business Insights