RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The Saudi Arabian government has restricted access to Makkah without official permits as part of preparations for the 1447 H/2026 Hajj season. The government made the policy on Monday, April 13, 2026 to ensure order, safety, and service quality during the pilgrimage period.

The regulation, issued by the Saudi Ministry of Interior, applies strictly to all individuals entering the Makkah region. It is aimed at managing the flow of pilgrims ahead of the peak Hajj period.

Only specific groups are allowed to enter Makkah under this policy. These include residents with permits issued for Makkah, official Hajj visa holders, and authorized workers in the holy sites.

Individuals without valid permits will be denied entry into the city. Authorities will conduct strict inspections at entry points and turn back violators without exception.

The Saudi government also set deadlines for Umrah services during this period. Umrah pilgrims must leave Saudi Arabia no later than April 18, 2026.

“Every year, the Saudi Arabian Government implements access control to Makkah before the Hajj peak season. This is essential to ensure safety, order, and capacity management,” the statement said.

The issuance of Umrah permits through the Nusuk platform will be temporarily suspended. The suspension will take place from April 18 to May 31, 2026, during Hajj preparations.

All non-Hajj visa holders are prohibited from entering or staying in Makkah. This rule reinforces the focus on officially registered Hajj pilgrims.

Spokesperson of the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, Ichsan Marsha, urged the public to comply with the regulation. He emphasized that this is a routine policy implemented ahead of every Hajj season.

“We remind prospective pilgrims to use only Hajj visas. Using other types of visas for Hajj is illegal and may result in sanctions,” he said.

He also called on Indonesian citizens to follow all applicable rules. The Indonesian government continues to coordinate efforts to ensure a safe and orderly pilgrimage.