As Haj approaches, the rush for business employees permits in the holy sites intensifies at Makkah Passports Department from companies and Haj operators. The Haj Permits Committee has been receiving hundreds of last-minute applications from businesses to allow their employees to move freely within the holy sites during Haj, which has doubled working hours, said Maj. Abdullah Al-Onaizi, head of the permits committee. Business applicants for Haj permits should not be in Ihram status and should prove they have a business to run in the holy sites through rental, sales, or distribution contracts, he said. All foreign employees should conduct business under their sponsor's responsibility, he added. The law stipulates that foreigners applying for work permits during Haj are required to bring a valid copy of their residence permits (Iqamas) and a valid copy of the business license, as well. Representatives of companies should provide an official power of attorney letter to process permits transactions. Companies and Haj operators are urged to finalize the applications of their employees' permits in the holy sites now, said Brig. Muhammad Al-Asmari, chief of the Makkah Passports Department. Security to prevent entering Makkah without Haj permits has been beefed up this year, and no exceptions will be granted at points of entry, he said. Each Haj permit comes in three parts: One for the specified holder, one for the business establishment, and one for the Ministry of Haj, he added. Over 200 local Haj operators have been licensed to serve nearly 250,000 pilgrims, out of which 49,500 have already obtained their Haj permits so far.
