Steps to issue a Makkah entry permit for residents via Absher 1446

The General Directorate of Passports and Public Security in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia announced the details and steps for issuing entry permits to Mecca for resident family members during the Hajj season. This step comes as part of ongoing efforts to regulate the flow of pilgrims and ensure their safety and security. The “Absher” electronic platform allows resident heads of households to easily obtain these permits, saving time and effort and enhancing the efficiency of digital services provided to both citizens and residents.

The historical development of crowd management in the Holy City

Over the decades, the Saudi Arabian government has prioritized developing crowd management mechanisms and regulating entry to the Holy City of Mecca, especially with the increasing number of Hajj and Umrah pilgrims year after year. Historically, the organization process relied on paper-based procedures and traditional checkpoints, but with the launch of Saudi Vision 2030, the Hajj and Umrah system has undergone a massive digital transformation. Reliance on modern technologies and electronic platforms such as “Absher” and “Muqeem” has become a cornerstone for streamlining procedures, preventing overcrowding, and ensuring the highest quality services for pilgrims, reflecting the Kingdom’s historical and religious commitment to serving the Two Holy Mosques and providing the utmost comfort for visitors.

The overall impact of regulating entry during the Hajj season

The decision to mandate the necessary permits carries significant weight that extends beyond local boundaries to encompass regional and international dimensions. Locally, this measure helps alleviate pressure on infrastructure, healthcare facilities, and security in Mecca, enabling the provision of high-quality services to authorized pilgrims and preventing chaotic overcrowding. Regionally and internationally, the Kingdom's success in managing millions of pilgrims reinforces its leading position as a global model for managing massive crowds and crises. It also sends a reassuring message to the Muslim world that their pilgrims are in safe hands, and that the stringent measures are primarily aimed at protecting them and facilitating the performance of their rituals in a safe and stable spiritual environment.

Steps to issue a permit to enter Mecca via the Absher platform

To facilitate procedures for residents, the relevant authorities have outlined how to complete the service electronically through simple steps that do not require visiting government offices. The head of the household can follow these steps:

• Log in to the official website of the “Absher” electronic platform using its credentials.
• Go to the services menu and select the “Family Members” section.
• Click on the “Entry Permit to Mecca” option.
• Select “Create an Entry Permit to Makkah” and fill in the required data accurately, then submit the request to be processed electronically.

Strict security measures have begun to be implemented

In a related development, Saudi Arabia's Public Security Directorate confirmed the commencement of arrangements and procedures for the Hajj season, which require residents wishing to visit Mecca to obtain the necessary permits from the relevant authorities. Starting Monday, anyone without an official permit will be denied entry. Public Security emphasized that these procedures will be strictly enforced against anyone lacking a work permit for the holy sites issued by the competent authority, a residency permit issued by Mecca, or a valid Hajj permit.

The Ministry of Interior noted that the issuance of permits for resident workers during the season is done electronically through the “Absher Individuals” platform and the “Muqeem” portal, with technical integration with the unified digital platform for issuing Hajj permits, which ensures data accuracy and speed of completion and supports security efforts in the field to ensure an exceptional and successful Hajj season.