NAHCON Alerts Public As Saudi Closes Hajj Visa Window
Last update: April 16, 2026
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NAHCON urges vigilance, calls on citizens to report any suspicious offers or fraudulent activities to law enforcement agencies.
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria ( NAHCON) has issued a public warning following reports of fraudulent activities by individuals and fake travel agencies claiming to facilitate Hajj visa procurement.
CBI News reports that NAHCON reiterated that these claims are false, as the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia officially closed the issuance of Hajj visas on 1st Shawwal 1447 AH, corresponding to 20th March 2026.
The Commission confirmed that all eligible intending pilgrims registered for the 2026 Hajj successfully received their visas before the official deadline. It added that any offer suggesting otherwise should be treated as a scam.
NAHCON reminded members of the public that visa issuance for Hajj has been concluded, noting that Saudi authorities have temporarily suspended several other visa categories, including tourist, work, and family visit visas, further limiting entry options into the Kingdom at this time.
The Commission emphasises that Hajj cannot be performed using alternative visa types such as tourist, Umrah, or work visas, pointing out that valid authorization for Hajj remains the official Hajj permit, which must be obtained strictly through approved and recognized channels.
It further warned that strict penalties await anyone found attempting to perform Hajj without a valid permit, stressing that these penalties include imprisonment for up to six months, fines of up to SAR 20,000 (approximately N8.15 million), and deportation with a ten-year ban from re-entering the Kingdom.
The Commission also advised the public to rely only on official sources, including the National Hajj Commission and State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards, for accurate information, adding that Hajj registrations are conducted through the Nusuk platform via approved authorities.
