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Over 500,000 pilgrims arrive in Saudi Arabia for Hajj 2024: But is visit visa enough to perform the pilgrimage?

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Over 500,000 pilgrims arrive in Saudi Arabia for Hajj 2024: But is visit visa enough to perform the pilgrimage?

Saudi Arabia’s General Directorate of Passports has announced that a total of 532,958 pilgrims arrived in the Kingdom by May 26 for Hajj 2024. This figure is believed to include pilgrims entering the Gulf state through all border crossings.

Hajj is an annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, the holiest city for Muslims across the globe. The majority of pilgrims (523,729) arrived in Saudi Arabia by air, 9,210 through land borders and 19 by sea. The directorate has emphasised its commitment to facilitate a smooth process.

Get a Saudi Hajj visa or a Hajj permit for Hajj 2024

It is important to stress here that the Government of Saudi Arabia has prohibited visit visa holders and tourists from performing Hajj and entering the holy place from May 23 to June 21. It is important to get a Saudi Hajj visa or a Hajj permit to perform the pilgrimage.

Visitors have been urged not to visit Makkah during the aforementioned period or stay there without a Hajj permit. “Temporary visas, such as student visas or schengen visas, are not accepted,” stated the Nusuk Hajj platform.

Severe penalties for people defying regulations

Earlier, pilgrims were also advised to carry their identification cards throughout the Hajj period. Defying the regulations is likely to result in severe and unwavering penalties. The penalty is a fine of 10,000 riyals against anyone caught not having a Hajj permit.

“The fine will double for repeat offenders, and resident violators face deportation and a ban from entering Saudi Arabia,” the Kingdom’s Ministry of Interior informed in a post on X. Keep an eye out as we deliver more updates on the holy pilgrimage.

Aliza is a promising member of the Trends section at The Gulf Independent. She has a flair towards observing the latest food, movie, fashion, culture, business, technology and other other trending topics - delivering strongly factual and reliable news every day. Interest: Aliza holds a deep interest in bringing the audience the most recent information and incisive analysis on a variety of trending developments across the GCC. She believes in giving facts and creativity the front seat, producing articles that encourage deep conversations. Educate and Experience: Aliza entered the promising media industry in 2019, as she graduated from the prestigious King Faisal University in Saudi Arabia in Master of Media. Over the years, the journalist has produced innumerable thought-provoking and breaking stories, based on accuracy and integrity. Email id: [email protected]

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