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Hajj and Umrah

Serving pilgrims is among the most honorable duties that Saudi Arabia takes pride in. Under the leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, Saudi Arabia endeavors to meet pilgrims' needs and provide all necessary facilities to ensure they can perform their rituals with ease. Through its digital platforms, Saudi Arabia offers comprehensive information about Hajj and Umrah Laws and the required procedures for pilgrims from both within and outside Saudi Arabia. Moreover, the Ministry encourages participation in the “Be a Supporter” initiative, which provides opportunities to volunteer in serving the Guests of Allah. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Saudi Arabia adhered strictly to health protocols to ensure the safety of pilgrims, reflecting its profound commitment to safeguarding their health and well-being while performing their rituals.

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The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia pays great attention to Hajj and Umrah affairs since its unification by the late founder King Abdulaziz Al Saud—may he rest in peace. This commitment has been carried forward by his successors, who have worked to enhance these services, ensuring that serving the Guests of Allah and caring for the Two Holy Mosques in Makkah and Madinah remain top priorities. Through this continuous commitment, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia seeks to achieve a comprehensive vision that facilitates the performance of Hajj and Umrah rituals while providing the best services to the Guests of Allah with ease and convenience. To this end, Saudi Arabia has established a dedicated Ministry for Hajj and Umrah Affairs, tasked with organizing all sectors and departments involved in this field. This ministry plays a crucial role in offering top-tier services to pilgrims, ensuring that they perform their rituals in a secure and comfortable environment. For more information about the Ministry's roles and responsibilities, click here

Hajj and Umrah Systems

Hajj Systems

The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah employs a range of smart systems designed to facilitate the pilgrimage rituals for the Guests of Allah. These systems include:

The Electronic Path System for External Pilgrims: This comprehensive system manages all mandatory contracts, including accommodation, transportation, and catering, from the start of the arrangements until the safe return of pilgrims to their home countries. The Electronic Path System ensures transparency and enables oversight of the implementation process, monitoring the commitment of all parties to their responsibilities under the supervision of the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah.

Hajj Procedures

For Pilgrims from Within Saudi Arabia:

Visit the website for domestic pilgrims to select the type of Hajj they will perform, whether it is Hajj Tamattu, Hajj Qiran, or Hajj Ifraad. (Click here to obtain the permit).
Pay the program fees electronically.
Receive the Hajj permit upon payment completion.

For Pilgrims from Outside Saudi Arabia:

The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has streamlined the procedures for external pilgrims, adopting a methodology based on transparency. The procedures for external pilgrims include:

Signing Hajj season agreements between delegations of respective countries and the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, in accordance with terms and conditions that each party must adhere to.
Preparing the electronic path system for external pilgrims and registering service providers in Saudi Arabia (accommodation, transportation, catering, and services by Tawaf Est.).
Implementing mandatory contracts, including accommodation and catering, between pilgrim representatives (Hajj affairs offices and travel agencies) and service providers, while monitoring service quality.
Once contracts are completed, pilgrim data is entered and sent to the relevant authorities for the issuance of Hajj visas.
The Ministry supervises and monitors the services provided to pilgrims according to the established contracts, from their arrival at the entry points in Saudi Arabia until their departure to their countries.

Umrah Systems

Organizing services for Umrah performers and streamlining their procedures.
Managing the procedures for arrivals on Hajj and Umrah visas.
Implementing regulations for organizing services for Umrah Performers.
The regulatory framework that prohibit non-Saudis from participating in pilgrim accommodation services.

Umrah Procedures

The procedures are managed through the electronic systems linked to the General Administration for Licensed Entities and external agents, starting from the first day of Dhul-Hijjah. The Ministry ensures that licensees meet all requirements through data and reports received from the electronic systems associated with Umrah Systems. Key requirements include:

Ensuring there are no obstacles to activating the licensee with the Ministry, Passports, and the National Information Center at the Ministry of Interior.
Paying any outstanding dues required by law to other relevant entities.
Ensuring the readiness of the licensee, which includes verifying his administrative staff, providing social insurance certificates, ensuring the readiness of the three locations: (Makkah, Madinah, Jeddah), and ensuring all necessary equipment and preparations are in place.
Submitting the service packages the licensee will use to apply for Umrah visas to the relevant department at the Ministry for approval.
Submitting the first part of the operational plan for the period (Muharram - Jumada al-Thani) to the Ministry for approval.
Submitting the second part of the operational plan for the period (Rajab – Shawwal) to the Ministry for approval.
Developing or modifying any controls approved by the competent authorities to be implemented during the Umrah period, such as percentages and numbers of violations, and embassy capacity ceilings.
Submitting contracts of external agents after fulfilling all requirements (membership in the International Air Transport Association "IATA", contract approval from the Saudi Arabian diplomatic mission in the agent's country, having an account in an approved bank, paying bank guarantees, etc.).

Second: After the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah confirms the readiness of licensed entities and the activation of their systems based on the points outlined in (First) above, the Ministry undertakes the following tasks:

Receiving Umrah visa applications in line with the approved operational plan and the established regulations for visa processing.
Managing data related to the arrival, departure, and overstaying of Umrah Performers.
Monitoring compliance (both on-site and electronically) with the service packages offered to pilgrims.
Overseeing and monitoring the services provided to Umrah Performers, documenting any violations, and referring them to the relevant committee (Committee for Reviewing Umrah Performers’ Complaints).
Submitting the first part of the operational plan for the period (Muharram - Jumada al-Thani) to the Ministry for approval.
Receiving complaints from Umrah Performers, referring them to the relevant committee (Committee for Reviewing Umrah Performers’ Complaints), guiding lost pilgrims, and following up on their health conditions and movements.
Investigating licensed entities and their external agents, and issuing penalties as required.

Self-Registration App for Biometric Data of Pilgrims and Umrah Performers

Under the directives of the wise leadership to facilitate services for pilgrims and Umrah performers, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs launched a self-registration app for biometric data through smartphones, making Saudi Arabia the first country to implement biometric registration for visa applicants via mobile devices.

The app enables applicants for Hajj and Umrah visas in countries where the app is active to register their biometric data from their current locations using smartphones, eliminating the need to visit visa issuance centers. Accordingly, visas will be issued electronically based on this registration. Upon arrival in Saudi Arabia, pilgrims and Umrah performers will only undergo a verification process without re-registering their biometric data. This process will faciliates their entry at designated ports.

General Presidency for the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque

The General Presidency for the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque provides services to visitors, to enable them to perform religious rituals in a safe and pure environment. Through its website, the Presidency offers numerous services that can be accessed online through this page. The Presidency's website also features dedicated sections for the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque, to enable visitors to explore mosque facilities and available services, including:

Initiatives Launched by Saudi Arabia

The Makkah Route Initiative and the Guests of Rahman Program are among Saudi Arabia’s leading efforts to enhance Hajj services and improve the pilgrimage experience.

Makkah Route Initiative

This initiative provides pilgrims with the highest level of service and comfort in their journey, by enabling them to complete their entry procedures to Saudi Arabia at airports in their home countries and transporting them directly to their accommodations in Makkah and Madinah.

Guests of Rahman Program

The Guests of Rahman Program offers pilgrims arriving at the Two Holy Mosques from within and outside Saudi Arabia high-quality facilities, advanced infrastructure, and digital services. These features aim to provide a unique spiritual experience that will remain unforgettable. To explore the program's execution plan, click here.

Strategic Objectives:

Facilitate hosting Umrah Performers and ensure easy access to the Two Holy Mosques.
Provide high-quality services to pilgrims and Umrah Performers.
Enrich the religious and cultural experience of pilgrims and Umrah Performers.

Taw'iya Platform

A series of enriching educational journeys aims to introduce Hajj, Umrah, Makkah, and Madinah in an educational framework that addresses priorities and meets visitors' basic needs. These journeys deliver in-depth knowledge that emphasizes the significance of these great rituals and explains their steps according to the guidance of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

Open Data

A collection of publicly accessible, machine-readable data is available to all visitors of the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah's website without technical or financial restrictions. The data comes in various formats to facilitate processing and reuse, aiming to enhance participation and increase levels of knowledge. Users of this data should review the use policy to stay informed of any updates.

Hajj Applications on Mobile Phones

Hajj Navigator		Provides digital maps of the holy sites and Madinah with comprehensive information about spatial locations, including buildings, facilities, camps in the holy sites, roads, streets, neighborhoods, and boundaries. It also includes services, public facilities, and landmarks. The app relies on the national address system, offering precise numbering for buildings, facilities, and camps, particularly in Makkah and Madinah.
Tirwiyah		This app is designed to meet pilgrims' water-related needs at the holy sites, offering multiple features: A map of the holy sites to locate restrooms. The ability to report water-related issues. Information on Zamzam water distribution points. The app also includes additional information relevant to pilgrims and is available in seven languages for easier accessibility.
Sehhaty		Sehhaty is a government e-health app that provides a variety of health services to citizens and residents in Saudi Arabia.
Es’afni		The app offers essential features, including: Quickly and easily reporting emergencies. Accurate location tracking for fast response. Special support for people with disabilities. Recording medical history details to facilitate medical care. These services seek to enhance users safety and ensure prompt assistance, when needed.
Kollona Amn		This app allows citizens and residents to become part of the security and safety efforts in their community. The app contributes to accelerating rescue operations and reducing damage and losses. Users can submit reports by: Uploading photos or videos. Recording voice notes.
Al-Mutawwif		The app contains all the information related to Hajj, and includes a special section that contains all the important phone numbers that pilgrims may need during their journey, and a wide range of services including: "Guide Me" service: helps users find their accommodation easily. Guide to the Holy Mosque: provides illustrated maps that show all the services and locations of the Holy Mosque. Audio guide: enables pilgrims to listen to all the Hajj rituals in an easy way. "Iftuni" service: allows obtaining answers from the Muftis around the clock.
Watani		Watani App enables citizens, residents and visitors to transparently evaluate government services, share feedback, and suggest improvements to enhance and develop these services.

Saudi Arabia's Role in Protecting Pilgrims During the COVID-19 Pandemic

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, through all its sectors, exerted maximum efforts to ensure the safety of pilgrims and control the spread of COVID-19. These efforts included reducing the number of pilgrims compared to previous years, limiting pilgrimage to those residing within Saudi Arabia—both citizens and residents. Non-Saudi residents constituted 70% of the total pilgrims, while Saudi citizens made up only 30%. Moreover, Saudi citizens eligible for pilgrimage were limited to healthcare practitioners and security personnel who had recovered from COVID-19. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia also considered specific criteria in selecting pilgrims, ensuring they were aged between 20 and 50 and free from chronic illnesses. The Ministry of Health established specific health protocols for the Hajj season of 1441 AH to safeguard everyone’s well-being.

To manage the process effectively, the Ministry launched an application to regulate Umrah, prayers, and visits to the Prophet's Mosque, allowing for identifying the number of daily visitor. Nusuk app, available on the App Store and Google Play, enables visitors to easily book their appointments.