Makkah Entry Permit 2026 Explained: Who Needs It, Who Is Exempt, and How to Avoid Being Turned Back

Last updated: Sep 9, 2026

What Is the Makkah Entry Permit?

Every year ahead of Hajj season, Saudi Arabia restricts access to Makkah to manage crowd flow and protect pilgrim safety.

For Hajj 2026, from April 13 to May 31, entry to Makkah required an official permit issued by the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah. That temporary restriction has ended.

The restriction applied to expatriate residents, GCC nationals, and visitors alike. It stayed in place through the 2026 Hajj season, which ran from May 25 to 29, 2026.

For Hajj 2026, the permit system, known locally as Tasreeh, was fully digital. Applications were handled through the Absher or Muqeem platforms, with no passport office visit required.

The Makkah entry permit is a third, separate document: not the Umrah visa, which is what lets you into Saudi Arabia, and not the Nusuk permit, which books your timed slot at Masjid al-Haram. It is a government pass for the road checkpoints into the city, issued through Absher or Muqeem.

Right now, outside Hajj season, there is no Makkah entry permit requirement. Normal access to the city and Umrah permit issuance through Nusuk have both resumed, and the Umrah season is open. Everything below sets out the seasonal rule, which returns ahead of the next Hajj.

Why Does Saudi Arabia Restrict Entry?

Makkah has a fixed capacity for pilgrims, and temperatures during Hajj season regularly exceed 45°C. The entry permit system helps Saudi authorities prevent overcrowding, manage emergency services, and keep unauthorized visitors out of the holy sites during the busiest period of the year.

While the restriction is in force, it is enforced at security checkpoints on all roads leading into Makkah. Anyone without the right documentation is turned back. Depending on the violation, you could also face heavy fines or a multi-year entry ban.

Who Needs a Makkah Entry Permit During Hajj Season?

When the seasonal restriction is in force, almost everyone who is not a Makkah resident or a registered Hajj pilgrim needs a permit to enter the city. That includes expatriate workers living elsewhere in Saudi Arabia, GCC citizens, and anyone on a visit or tourism visa.

Expatriate Residents (Iqama Holders Outside Makkah)

If your iqama was issued in Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, or any city other than Makkah, you cannot enter Makkah during Hajj season without an approved entry permit.

This is the rule that catches the most people. Living in Saudi Arabia for years doesn’t automatically give you access to Makkah during this period.

Your iqama must be valid and you must be physically present in Saudi Arabia at the time of application. Expired or under-renewal iqamas will not be accepted.

GCC Citizens

Citizens of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and the UAE need to apply for an entry permit through the Absher Individuals platform if they wish to enter Makkah during Hajj season without a Hajj visa.

Visit and Tourist Visa Holders

Tourist and visit visas do not qualify for Makkah entry during Hajj season. If you are in Saudi Arabia on a tourism, family visit, or business visa, you cannot enter Makkah while the restriction is in force. There is no permit category for these visa types during the restriction period.

Umrah Visa Holders

Booking online: Arriving from abroad, you are on the Umrah visa route, not the Absher permit route. Wego, an official partner of the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, books the whole trip: the eVisa in partnership with Nusuk, flights and your hotel stay.

The deadline for Umrah visa holders to leave Saudi Arabia was April 18, 2026. That deadline has passed.

The Nusuk platform suspended Umrah permit issuance through May 31, 2026. Umrah visa issuance and pilgrim arrivals resumed on May 31. Umrah permit issuance via Nusuk, and with it pilgrim entry to Makkah, resumed on June 1, 2026.

Anyone who remained in the Kingdom on an Umrah visa past April 18 is now in overstay territory and faces the penalties listed further down.

Who Is Exempt from the Permit Requirement?

Only a short list of people can reach Makkah during the restriction without applying for a separate entry permit. The General Directorate of Passports names three qualifications: a residency permit issued in Makkah, a Hajj permit, or a work permit issued for the Holy Sites.

Everyone else applies. And if you do hold one of those three, carry the documentation anyway, because you are still checked at the road checkpoints.

Makkah Residents

If your iqama was issued in Makkah, you’re exempt. Saudi nationals with Makkah-issued national IDs are also exempt.

The key word here is “Makkah-issued.” If you live in Makkah but your iqama is registered to a different city (this happens with some company transfers), you will still need a permit.

Registered Hajj Pilgrims

Anyone holding a valid Hajj visa (for international pilgrims) or an official Hajj permit (for domestic pilgrims who registered through the Nusuk platform) does not need a separate Makkah entry permit.

Registered pilgrims do need the Nusuk Card. The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah made this smart ID mandatory for every registered Hajj 2026 pilgrim, and it is checked on entry to Makkah, Masjid al-Haram and the Holy Sites. Carry it from arrival to departure, either as the physical card or in its in-app digital form.

How to Apply for a Makkah Entry Permit

The application process is entirely online. Which platform you use depends on your status in the Kingdom.

Through Absher (Individuals)

The Absher Individuals platform handles permits for:

GCC citizens visiting Makkah during Hajj season
Premium Residency holders and registered investors
Mothers of Saudi citizens (non-Saudi)
Domestic workers accompanying their sponsor families
Non-Saudi family members of Saudi nationals

These groups are applicants, not exemptions. Premium Residency holders, investors and the family categories above all need an approved permit in hand before a checkpoint will let them through.

To apply for a family member’s permit: log in to Absher, confirm the OTP, go to the Services tab, select Family Members, then choose Makkah Al-Mukarramah Entry Permit and click to create a new request.

For domestic workers: log in, verify via SMS, go to the Services tab, select Employment, then choose Makkah Al-Mukarramah Entry Permit and submit.

Through Muqeem (Employers)

The Muqeem portal is for employers requesting permits for their workers. This covers:

Employees of Makkah-based establishments who need to enter the city for work
Seasonal workers contracted specifically for Hajj-season operations
Workers with employment contracts tied to holy site services

If you’re an employee, your employer or sponsor needs to initiate the permit request through Muqeem. You cannot apply on your own through this portal.

Important Application Requirements

Your iqama must be valid at the time of application
You must be physically inside Saudi Arabia when applying
The permit is processed digitally through Tasreeh integration, so no paperwork or office visits are needed
Keep your Absher or Muqeem account details up to date: approvals and updates are sent through the platform

What Happens If You’re Caught Without a Permit

Saudi authorities enforce Makkah entry restrictions seriously, and the penalties have become steeper in recent years.

At the Checkpoint

While the restriction is in force, you are turned back. Security forces staff checkpoints on every road into Makkah and verify documentation for all vehicles.

If you can’t show a valid permit, Hajj visa, or Makkah-issued iqama, your vehicle will be turned around. There’s no negotiation or “come back later” option.

Fines and Penalties

Violation	Penalty
Unauthorized access to Makkah or the holy sites during Hajj	SAR 20,000 fine + deportation + 10-year entry ban for expatriates
Attempting Hajj without an official permit	SAR 20,000 fine + deportation + 10-year entry ban
Facilitating unauthorized Hajj (transporting, sheltering, providing accommodation to visit visa holders, or issuing visit visas for violators)	Up to SAR 100,000 fine, multiplied per person facilitated
Overstaying after visa expiry (including the April 18 Umrah deadline)	Up to SAR 50,000 fine, escalating with repeat offenses, plus imprisonment and deportation

The SAR 100,000 facilitation fine specifically covers anyone who provides accommodation to visit visa holders, harbors them, or provides any assistance that enables them to remain in Makkah and the Holy Sites.

This fine applies from 1 Dhul Qi’dah to 14 Dhul Hijjah 1447 AH (roughly April 18 to May 31, 2026) and is multiplied by the number of people a facilitator helped enter Makkah or perform Hajj unlawfully.

Key Dates for Hajj Season 2026

Date	What Happens
April 13, 2026	Makkah entry restrictions took effect; permits required at all checkpoints
April 18, 2026	Final exit deadline for Umrah visa holders; international Hajj pilgrim arrivals begin
May 18, 2026	Expected start of Dhul Hijjah 1447 AH (pending moon sighting on May 17)
May 21, 2026	Final date for international Hajj pilgrim arrivals
May 25–29, 2026	Expected Hajj days (8–12 Dhul Hijjah); Day of Arafah expected May 26
May 27, 2026	Expected Eid al-Adha (10 Dhul Hijjah)
May 31, 2026	Umrah visa issuance and pilgrim arrivals resumed
June 1, 2026	Makkah entry and Umrah permits via Nusuk resumed

Practical Tips for the Next Permit Season

Every year, thousands of residents and visitors are turned away at Makkah checkpoints once the restriction takes effect. Here is what to have ready when the season comes round again.

Check Your Iqama City Before You Travel

The single most common reason residents get turned back is that their iqama is registered to a city other than Makkah.

Check this before you leave home, not at the checkpoint. Log in to Absher and verify your iqama details. If your employer recently transferred you and the city on your iqama changed, you’ll need a permit even if you previously lived in Makkah.

Apply Early and Save Your Permit

Don’t wait until the last day. Apply through Absher or ask your employer to process it through Muqeem as soon as the service opens.

Once approved, save a screenshot or PDF of your permit on your phone. A “pending” status won’t get you through a checkpoint.

Carry Physical and Digital Copies

Checkpoints operate around the clock, and network connectivity isn’t always reliable on the approach to Makkah. Carry a printed copy of your permit alongside the digital version.

Also carry your iqama (or national ID for citizens) and any Hajj documentation if applicable.

Know the Checkpoint Locations

Checkpoints are set up on all major highways and secondary roads leading into Makkah. If you’re driving from Jeddah, Taif, or Madinah, you’ll encounter them well before the city limits.

Every person in the vehicle may be checked, so make sure all passengers have their documentation.

Frequently Asked Questions

I live in Jeddah but work in Makkah. Do I need a permit?

Yes. If your iqama is issued for Jeddah, you need a Makkah entry permit even if your workplace is in Makkah. Your employer can apply for a work permit on your behalf through the Muqeem portal.

Can non-Muslims enter Makkah at any time of year?

No. Makkah is restricted to Muslims year-round under Saudi law. The Haram boundary is enforced at checkpoints regardless of the season, and non-Muslims are not permitted to enter the city at any time.

I stayed past April 18 on an Umrah visa. What should I do?

You are now considered an overstayer and could face fines of up to SAR 50,000, deportation, and a multi-year entry ban. Contact the nearest Jawazat (passports) office or your country’s embassy in Saudi Arabia as soon as possible to regularize your status or arrange departure.

Is there a fee for the Makkah entry permit?

The Saudi General Directorate of Passports has not published an official fee for the Makkah entry permit through Absher or Muqeem for 2026. Check the platform directly when applying for the most current information.

Sources

Disclaimer: Wego strives to ensure all information presented in this article is accurate and up to date at the time of publication. Travel policies, prices, visa requirements, and conditions can change rapidly. We strongly recommend verifying critical details with official sources before making travel decisions. Wego does not accept liability for any inaccuracies, oversights, or changes that may occur after publication.