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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.).
- 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:
About the program
Allah the Almighty has indeed honored this country and its people by enabling them to serve the guests of Allah for decades, as visiting the Holy places and performing Hajj and Umrah is the wish of every Muslim. The wise leadership - may Allah support it - has shown great interest in serving the guests of Allah, Hajj and Umrah pilgrims and visitors, in the best manner possible.
To enhance the role of Saudi Arabia, both its leadership and people, in serving the pilgrims, and to provide the opportunity for the largest number of them to perform Umrah and experience this unique spiritual experience, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, launched the Pilgrim Experience Program for serving the pilgrims, as one of the initiatives to achieve Saudi Vision 2030 on Wednesday, 24th of Ramadan, 1440 AH.
The program’s role is to provide the opportunity for as many Muslims as possible to perform Hajj and Umrah in the best possible manner. It also seeks to provide the pilgrims with a rich and ever-lasting experience by making necessary arrangements in the Haramain (the Two Holy Mosques in Makkah and Al-Madinah), to actualize Islam’s universal message, to prepare the tourist and cultural destinations, and to deliver high quality services before, during and after their visit to Makkah, Al-Madinah and holy places. Additionally, the program reflects the honorable and civilized image of Saudi Arabia in serving the Two Holy Mosques and the guests of Allah.
Program goals
- Facilitating hosting more pilgrims and easing access to the Two Holy Mosques
The program aims to enable more Muslims to come to Saudi Arabia to perform Umrah, facilitate the procedures for their arrival, and offer various options for different categories of pilgrims and visitors. This initiative enhances and reaffirms Saudi Arabia's long-standing tradition of welcoming and serving pilgrims of Masjid Al-Haram from all parts of the globe. The primary strategic goal is to increase the number of people coming from abroad to perform Umrah and visit the Prophet’s Mosque. This includes simplifying visa procedures and expanding the necessary capacity to accommodate 30 million pilgrims by 2030 and 15 million by 2025, representing a 77% increase compared to the 8.5 million Umrah pilgrims in 2019. While achieving this goal, we prioritize ensuring the security and safety of the guests of Allah alongside the targeted increase in their numbers.
- Providing high-quality services to Hajj and Umrah Pilgrims
- Enriching the religious and cultural experience for pilgrims and Umrah pilgrims
Aspirations
- A rich spiritual journey throughout all its stages
- Making Saudi Arabia a gateway to new cultural experiences
- Rehabilitated Islamic historical sites that are attractive to visitors
Pilgrim`s Journey
First Impression Welcome and Hospitality
The journey of a lifetime begins with a thought. Muslims all over the world dream of visiting the Two Holy Mosques, and here is where the program's mission begins, by enhancing the impact of the first impression.
- To more information about the journey Click here- To more information about the Initiatives Click here
Performing Rituals Smoothness and reassurance
The stage of performing the rituals represents the essence of the pilgrim’s journey, which they eagerly anticipate and long for. This involves enhancing the quality of services provided to the pilgrims in the Two Holy Mosques and the Miqats, ensuring their health and safety.
- To more information about the journey Click here- To more information about the Initiatives Click here
Enrichment of the Experience Comfort and Culture
The experience enrichment stage enhances the culture of hospitality and celebration for the pilgrims and enriches their journey by discovering Saudi Arabia and visiting historical sites.
- To more information about the journey Click here- To more information about the Initiatives Click here
Enablers Support and Empowerment
Initiatives supporting all stages of the pilgrims’ journey, to include health, security and technical initiatives, and everything that contributes to creating an unforgettable spiritual experience.
- To more information about the Initiatives Click hereVolunteers Efforts During Hajj and Umrah
The National Center for the Development of the Non-Profit Sector has dedicated a page titled " serve the guests of Allah for decades," which focuses on volunteering during the Hajj season. , in order to organize the volunteering process and make the most of the volunteers' efforts and ensure the quality of volunteer services for pilgrims. The voluntary areas are:
- Welcoming and farewelling pilgrims
- Guiding and assisting pilgrims and the guests of Allah for decades.
- Pushing wheelchairs for individuals with disabilities and the elderly.
- Distributing water bottles to the guests of Allah for decades
- Organizing prayer areas in the Grand Mosque.
To more information about the Volunteer Opportunities Click here
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).
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
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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. |  |  |
| This app effectively assists visitors of Makkah by accurately determining their location within the Grand Mosque. It also guides them to any desired destination. Notably, the app does not require an internet connection for locating users, making navigation in crowded areas easier. |  | |||
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This app is designed to meet pilgrims' water-related needs at the holy sites, offering multiple features:
The app also includes additional information relevant to pilgrims and is available in seven languages for easier accessibility. |  |  | ||
| Sehhaty is a government e-health app that provides a variety of health services to citizens and residents in Saudi Arabia. |  |  | ||
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The app offers essential features, including:
These services seek to enhance users safety and ensure prompt assistance, when needed. |  |  | ||
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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:
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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:
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| 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.
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