Makkah Hotels Now Require Hajj Permit During 2025 Pilgrimage Season

As part of enhanced regulatory measures for the 2025 Hajj season, Saudi authorities have announced that access to hotels and hospitality facilities in Makkah will be limited to those holding a valid Hajj permit or authorised entry documentation. The new rule will take effect from April 29, 2025 (Dhul Qada 1, 1446) and will remain in place until the end of the Hajj season.

Under the directive, all individuals wishing to stay in Makkah must present a valid Hajj permit, an official work assignment, or residency documentation specifically granting them access to the holy city during this period. Visitors travelling on other visa types—including tourism, business, or family visit visas—will not be permitted to enter or reside in Makkah for the duration of the Hajj season.

Hospitality providers across Makkah have been instructed to comply with the new restrictions, which aim to support crowd management, reduce strain on essential services, and ensure accommodation availability is prioritised for registered pilgrims.

To facilitate the permit process and enhance digital verification, the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA), in collaboration with the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, has launched a unified digital gateway known as the Tasreeh Platform. The platform is fully integrated with the Nusuk portal and enables both domestic and international pilgrims to obtain and validate their permits digitally.

Security personnel stationed at entry points to Makkah will be equipped with the Maidan application, allowing real-time verification of permits. Individuals can also view their permit status via the Tawakkalna app.