inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta. The government has urged the public not to be tempted by offers to skip the queue for Hajj pilgrimage, as this could lead to fraud, given the strict regulations enforced by the Saudi Arabian authorities.
"The public should not be easily lured by the lure of fast-track visas. Pilgrimage visas, visitor visas, or other documents not provided for in the Hajj cannot be used for Hajj," said Indonesian Consul General in Jeddah, Yusron B. Ambary, on Monday (4/6/2026).
The issue of non-procedural Hajj pilgrimages is a serious concern for Saudi authorities. Besides violating regulations, they also pose a high risk to safety.
High-profile cases of non-procedural or illegal Hajj pilgrimages occur from time to time. In 2024, a regional official was arrested by Saudi Arabian security officers on suspicion of attempting to perform Hajj using a pilgrimage visa and leading a group.
Then in 2025, three Indonesian citizens were found stranded in the desert while attempting to enter Mecca. One died of dehydration. These three Indonesian citizens were pilgrims attempting to perform Hajj without going through official channels.
Furthermore, throughout 2025, the Directorate General of Immigration successfully prevented the departure of thousands of people suspected of planning to travel to the Holy Land without official visas from various departure points in Indonesia.
Yusron stated that the only visa that can be used for the Hajj is a Hajj visa. However, if people use a visa other than the Hajj visa, their visa will automatically be rejected and they could be deported, along with other penalties.
In addition to failing to perform their pilgrimage, those found illegally face sanctions ranging from large fines to a 10-year ban from entering Saudi Arabia.
"Only Hajj visas issued by Saudi authorities will be accepted," said Consul General Yusron.
The Indonesian Consulate General in Jeddah has recorded numerous cases of pilgrims being arrested for using fake Hajj attributes, fake identity cards, or visas whose data does not match the holder's passport.
"People should not be fixated on the name of the package, but ensure the certainty of the Hajj visa, the legality of the organizer, and compliance with official government regulations," concluded Consul General Yusron.
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