A new warning in Egypt for those heading to Saudi Arabia

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The Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities has warned citizens wishing to perform Hajj using visit visas.

The Ministry confirmed that Hajj on a visit visa is illegal and exposes travelers to legal penalties from Saudi authorities, including a fine of up to 10,000 Saudi riyals and a ban on entering Saudi Arabia for 10 years.

The Central Administration for Corporate Control at the Ministry of Tourism, headed by Samia Sami, Chairman of the Supreme Committee for Hajj and Umrah, stressed on all tourism companies not to organize Hajj trips for holders of visit visas, as this would constitute a violation of Egyptian and Saudi laws. She confirmed that there will be severe penalties imposed on violating companies, which may lead to cancellation of the license.

The Chamber of Tourism Companies announced that Hajj on a visit visa violates Egyptian and Saudi laws, explaining that the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities has specified the penalties to which tourism companies that organize Hajj programs for holders of all types of visit visas will be subjected, which may lead to cancellation of the license.

Dr. Ahmed Al-Deiri, a member of the Federation of Tourism Chambers, said that Dar Al-Iftaa confirmed that Hajj on a visit visa is illegal and invalid, noting that all Egyptian tourism companies refuse to organize any Hajj programs for holders of a visit visa in compliance with the law, and to preserve the reputation of tourism companies and to ensure the regularity of the Hajj season. And not to expose Egyptian citizens to any danger.