RIYADH: People caught violating Hajj permit regulations, and those helping them, in Saudi Arabia’s Makkah face stiff penalties in a Ministry of Interior clampdown.

The ministry said the penalties would apply from Tuesday until approximately June 10.

A fine of up to SR20,000 ($5,331.43) will be imposed on people caught performing or attempting to perform Hajj without a permit, and on holders of all types of visit visas who attempt to enter or stay in Makkah and the holy sites during the specified period.

A fine of up to SR100,000 will also be imposed on anyone who applies for a visit visa for an individual who has performed or attempted to perform Hajj without a permit, or who has entered or stayed in Makkah city and the holy sites during the specified period. The fine will multiply for each individual involved.

The same fine will apply to anyone who transports or attempts to transport visit visa holders to Makkah and the holy sites during the specified period, as well as to those who shelter or attempt to shelter visit visa holders in any accommodation, including hotels, apartments, private housing, shelters, or housing sites for Hajj pilgrims.

This includes concealing their presence or providing assistance that enables their stay. The fine will multiply for each individual sheltered, concealed, or assisted.

A separate penalty would also apply to illegal infiltrators attempting to perform Hajj, whether residents or overstayers, and the guilty parties would be deported to their countries and banned from entering the Kingdom for ten years.

The ministry also said the relevant court would be ordered to confiscate land vehicles used to transport visit visa holders to Makkah and the holy sites during the specified period, if owned by the transporter, facilitator, or any accomplices.