The Pilgrims Affairs Office of Ghana (PAOG) has issued a strong advisory to prospective pilgrims and accredited Hajj agents, cautioning them to strictly adhere to new Saudi regulations governing Hajj 2026.

In a press release signed by the Director of Communications, Mohammed Amin Lamptey, PAOG reminded the public that the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah in Saudi Arabia will fully enforce permit guidelines for next year’s pilgrimage.

The statement disclosed that during the 2025 Hajj, Saudi authorities suspended and barred thousands of unregistered pilgrims who attempted to participate in the pilgrimage using inappropriate visas.

A total of more than 269,000 individuals without valid Hajj permits were denied access to Mecca.

Among them were several Ghanaians who have now been banned from entering Saudi Arabia for approximately five years.

PAOG further noted that the Saudi Ministry of Tourism has also directed all accommodation facilities in Mecca not to host anyone without a valid Hajj permit or a legitimate work/residency permit during the Hajj season.

The directive aims at improving safety, managing congestion, and maintaining order throughout the pilgrimage.

Following these developments, PAOG has urged all accredited Hajj agents to refrain from collecting payments from individuals who have been banned by Saudi authorities.

The office emphasised that such actions could lead to serious complications, including financial losses.

According to the statement, no refunds will be issued to banned persons who attempt to pay for Hajj 2026, as the Saudi government will not issue visas to them under any circumstances.

PAOG encouraged strict compliance from all stakeholders to avoid inconveniences and ensure a smooth pilgrimage process for eligible Ghanaian pilgrims.