On Tuesday, the Saudi Arabian government issued a warning to those intending to perform the Hajj pilgrimage against falling for misleading advertisements and fraudulent offers, urging them to interact only with official channels.

In a statement, the Ministry of Hajj clarified that entry for the pilgrimage is contingent upon obtaining a 'Hajj visa' issued by relevant Saudi authorities and coordinating with designated offices in 80 countries.

The ministry emphasized that direct booking is available through the 'Nusk Hajj' platform, which caters to pilgrims arriving from approximately 126 countries.

The statement highlighted that the 'electronic path' on the ministry’s official website and the 'Nusk' application are the approved channels for booking packages for domestic pilgrims, including citizens and residents in Saudi Arabia.

It categorized information and offers disseminated through unofficial channels as 'misleading' and not representative of official entities.

The ministry has made provisions for receiving inquiries and complaints in multiple languages around the clock through the 'Guests of the Rahman Care Center'.

They can be reached via the local unified number (1966), the international number (+966920002814), and through email at [email protected] This initiative aims to facilitate the pilgrimage experience for guests.

Moreover, the Ministry of Hajj has established specific deadlines for the entry and exit of Umrah pilgrims.

The last date for entry into the country for Umrah will be Sunday, April 13, 2025, with April 29 marking the final departure date.

Exceeding this timeframe will be considered a violation, subject to regulatory penalties.

The ministry urges individuals and pilgrimage companies to adhere to regulations and instructions regarding the timely departure of pilgrims, reiterating that failure to report delays by institutions may incur financial fines of up to 100,000 Riyals (approximately 27,000 USD) alongside legal measures against those responsible.