“It is crucial for Indonesians to understand that only a Hajj visa is recognized by the Saudi government for performing the pilgrimage,” Director General of Hajj and Umrah Implementation Puji Raharjo said.
He made the remarks after meeting Indonesian Consul General in Jeddah Yusron B. Ambary at the consulate office, according to a statement released in Jakarta on Saturday.
Raharjo said the ministry and the consulate had agreed to intensify public education efforts to prevent Indonesians from using non-procedural travel arrangements.
Ambary echoed the warning, urging citizens to follow all official requirements and avoid offers promising shortcuts or expedited departures.
“Visit visas, tourist visas or other documents outside official provisions cannot be used for Hajj. Only visas issued specifically for Hajj are valid,” he said.
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He noted that the warning followed repeated cases of Indonesians being detained by Saudi authorities for using invalid or falsified documents to join the pilgrimage.
Ambary warned that violators could face heavy fines, deportation and a ban of up to 10 years from re-entering Saudi Arabia.
He also cautioned against misleading travel packages using terms such as “Dakhili Hajj,” which applies only to Saudi citizens or expatriates with valid long-term residence permits.
“Do not focus on package names. Verify the validity of the Hajj visa, the legality of organizers and their compliance with regulations,” he said.
Authorities said illegal schemes often exploit limited Hajj quotas and high demand among prospective pilgrims.
They urged the public to use only licensed travel operators and to verify information through official government channels.
The ministry said it would continue working with Indonesian representatives in Saudi Arabia to strengthen supervision.
Officials stressed that preventing illegal practices is essential to protect citizens and maintain orderly pilgrimage management.
They also emphasized the importance of public awareness in reducing the risks of fraud.
Related news: Indonesia tightens coordination to curb illegal Hajj pilgrims
Translator: Asep F, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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