Hajj 2025: UAE pilgrims face Dh50,000 fine for travelling without permit
Official permits now mandatory under new Cabinet-backed screening system
ABU DHABI: UAE authorities have issued a firm warning ahead of the upcoming Hajj pilgrimage season: citizens travelling to Saudi Arabia without an approved Hajj 2025 permit will face a fine of Dh50,000.
The directive, announced by the General Authority of Islamic Affairs, Endowments and Zakat (GAIAZ), is part of a broader initiative to uphold safety, ensure proper organisation, and curb overcrowding at pilgrimage sites.
The Hajj pilgrimage, one of the five pillars of Islam, draws millions of Muslims annually to the holy city of Makkah. With this year’s Hajj expected to occur between 4th and 9th June 2025, UAE authorities are intensifying efforts to regulate attendance and prevent unauthorised participation.
According to GAIAZ, the official Hajj permit is now a strict requirement under the Cabinet-approved Hajj and Umrah System, which governs the entire process – from application to allocation – via an electronic screening programme designed for fairness and transparency.
Hajj 2025 permit
The new regulations mandate that any male or female UAE citizen intending to perform Hajj must obtain a valid permit directly issued by GAIAZ. The authority has reiterated that anyone found violating this system by travelling outside the approved channels will be solely responsible for the legal and financial consequences.
This measure aims to deter the rising number of unlicensed pilgrims who not only disrupt arrangements but also congest the designated UAE pilgrims' zones in Saudi Arabia. Such violations strain resources and compromise the comfort and safety of officially registered pilgrims.
The permit system, now digitally managed, ensures equitable distribution of slots among qualified applicants. It is part of the UAE's commitment to protecting its citizens and maintaining the sanctity and order of the pilgrimage experience.
Cross-border crackdown
To support these efforts, the Saudi Ministry of Interior has introduced additional penalties for unauthorised pilgrims entering the Kingdom during the Hajj season. Individuals caught attempting to perform the pilgrimage without proper documentation will face a fine of up to SAR20,000.
This penalty also applies to visit visa holders who try to enter Makkah between Tuesday, 29 April (Dhul-Qi’dah 1) and Dhul Hijjah 14 – falling on either 10 or 11 June, subject to crescent moon sighting.
Saudi authorities have warned that visa sponsors who fail to report expatriates overstaying their permits may face fines up to SAR50,000, six months' imprisonment, and possible deportation. These measures are intended to safeguard the orderly conduct of Hajj and avoid exploitation of visa loopholes.
Hajj 2025 preparations
The intensified enforcement comes as Saudi Arabia prepares to host millions for Hajj 2025. Already, more than 1.07 million pilgrims have arrived from abroad, according to Saudi Minister of Media Salman bin Yousef al-Dosari.
In a recent briefing, the minister emphasised the Kingdom’s readiness to receive pilgrims and reiterated the importance of adhering to the new protocols. The pilgrimage involves a sequence of sacred rites carried out over five to six days, culminating in Eid al-Adha on the 10th day of Dhul Hijjah.
Saudi Arabia has urged local Muslims to sight the moon on Tuesday to determine the precise dates of the pilgrimage and the accompanying Eid celebrations.
Meanwhile, GAIAZ continues to advise UAE citizens and residents to follow all official guidelines, cautioning them against wasting time, money, and legal standing by circumventing established processes.
With stricter measures in place both within the UAE and in Saudi Arabia, authorities are making it clear that unauthorised Hajj participation will not be tolerated in 2025.