The General Directorate of Passports is all set to receive Haj pilgrims at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah and Prince Muhammad International Airport in Madinah. The entry points to Makkah are also ready for the arrival of pilgrims for Haj which begins on Oct. 13 this year.
Maj. Gen. Ayed Al-Harbi, commander of the Passport Department for Haj Affairs, said the passport offices are adequately staffed. They will be supervised by Interior Minister Prince Muhammad bin Naif who is also the chairman of the Supreme Haj Committee. The passport offices will be monitored by Lt. Gen. Salem L. Bulaihed, director of Passport Department.
The offices have also been equipped with modern technology to receive pilgrims, fingerprint them and process their documents.
Al-Harbi called on all citizens and expatriates intending to go for Haj to adhere to the regulations such as obtaining the mandatory permits.
He warned that expatriates without permits risked immediate deportation accompanied by a 10-year ban from re-entering the Kingdom.
Approximately 1.6 million foreign pilgrims are expected to arrive this year. The ministry has urged foreign Haj missions to send 20 percent less than their normal quota because of the ongoing expansion work at the mataf this year.
Passport Dept gears up for Haj pilgrims
