The Hajj Commission has issued a strong public warning over the activities of fraudulent travel agents and fake social media accounts allegedly claiming to facilitate the procurement of Hajj visas, despite the official closure of visa issuance by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
According to the Commission, Saudi authorities shut the Hajj visa issuance process on 1st Shawwal 1447 AH (March 20, 2026), effectively ending all legitimate applications for the current pilgrimage cycle.
In a public announcement, the Commission stressed that all eligible intending pilgrims had already been captured before the deadline.
“Visa issuance for the 2026 Hajj has been concluded by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and all eligible registered pilgrims were processed before the official closure date,” the Commission stated.
The authority further cautioned that no alternative visa categories could be used to perform the pilgrimage.
“Hajj cannot be performed using tourist, Umrah or work visas. The only recognised authorisation is a valid Hajj permit issued through official channels,” it warned.
The Commission also highlighted strict penalties imposed by Saudi authorities on offenders caught performing Hajj without proper documentation, including imprisonment of up to six months, fines reaching SAR 20,000 (about N8.15 million), deportation, and a 10-year re-entry ban.
“Anyone found performing Hajj without a valid permit will face severe sanctions as prescribed by Saudi regulations, including arrest, deportation, and long-term travel restrictions,” it added.
Officials advised the public to rely strictly on recognised platforms such as the Nusuk system and state pilgrim welfare agencies, warning against making payments to unofficial agents promising “guaranteed Hajj visas.”
The Commission urged vigilance and encouraged citizens to report fraudulent operators to relevant security agencies.
Hajj Commission warns against fake visa agents, says Saudi has closed issuance
Hajj Commission warns against fake visa agents, says Saudi has closed issuance
