What is a Hajj Visa?
One of the world’s largest religious gatherings, Hajj is one of the 5 pillars of Islam, bringing between 2 and 3 million Muslim people to Mecca during the Islamic month of Dhul-Hijjah. Hajj occurs during the final month of the Islamic lunar calendar between the 8th and 13th days of the month. The purpose of the Hajj pilgrimage is to cleanse their souls, bringing them closer to Allah. The Hajj pilgrimage is mandatory for all Muslim people who are physically and financially able to participate.
In order to participate in the Hajj pilgrimage, all foreigners are required to obtain a Hajj Visa. While it is permitted to do the Umrah pilgrimage with a Tourist Visa, it is not permitted to participate in Hajj. All Muslim people who are coming to Saudi Arabia for Hajj are required to have the Hajj Visa. If you participate in Hajj without the correct visa, you run the risk of legal consequences, including deportation.
With the Hajj Visa, you are not permitted to partake in any touristic activities. Hajj Visa holders are only allowed to visit Jeddah, Makkah, and Medina. As Hajj is on specific dates each year, there is a timeframe in which you can apply for the visa. You can apply for the visa from Mid-Shawwal until the 25th Dhual-Qa’dah each year. The 2024 Hajj Visas will be issued between March 1st and April 29th. It is essential to keep updated with any Hajj 2024 news in case any requirements or eligibility changes.
Table of Contents
Eligibility for Hajj Visa
There are specific eligibility criteria you must reach to obtain a Hajj Visa.
- Muslim Identity- all applicants must be followers of Islam. The pilgrimage is a religious event that is exclusive to Muslim people.
- Non-Saudi Residency- If you are a citizen or resident of Saudi Arabia, you do not require a Hajj Visa to perform the pilgrimage. This visa is for foreigners.
- Health Requirements- It is essential to be in good health to undertake the Hajj pilgrimage. If you have a medical condition, you may be required to provide clearance from your doctor stating that you are in well enough condition for the pilgrimage.
- Financial Means- You must be able to provide proof that you have the financial means to cover the cost of your pilgrimage. You should have the financial ability to afford travel, accommodation, and all other expenses during your time in Saudi Arabia. The Hajj Visa cost is free but the required tour programs can be quite expensive.
- Age Requirements- There are no age requirements to be eligible to participate in Hajj, but people under 18 years old are required to be accompanied by a guardian who is also performing Hajj.
- Apply with an Authorized Agent- Individuals are not eligible to apply for the Hajj Visa on their own. You must apply with an authorized Hajj Visa agency. As of 2024, Saudi Arabia’s authorized agency for the Hajj and Umrah Visas is Nusuk.
- Vaccination Requirement- All Hajj applicants are required to submit a vaccine against meningitis. The vaccine must have been administered no more than 3 years before and no less than 10 days before arrival in Saudi Arabia. Depending on your nationality, you may also be required to have a Yellow Fever or a Polio vaccination.
Visa Validity and Duration of Stay
It is important to note that the Hajj Visa only permits you to stay in Saudi Arabia to participate in the Hajj pilgrimage. The validity dates of your visa will be based on the specific Hajj season, as the dates change each year. The validity period of this visa is only during the Hajj season and you are required to exit Saudi Arabia once you have finished your pilgrimage. With the Hajj Visa, you will have sufficient time to perform the rituals of Hajj. Each year, the deadline by which all Muslims with a Hajj Visa must exit Saudi Arabia is the 10th day of Muharram.
How to Apply for a Hajj Visa
Applicants are not permitted to apply for the Hajj Visa on their own. You are required to apply through a licensed travel agency. As of 2024, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah is facilitating the application process through Nusuk. It is essential to note that there is a Hajj Visa application period in which you can apply for the visa. It differs each year based on the Hajj season.
Start by finding the authorized Hajj Visa agency you will use to apply for the visa. Depending on your nationality, you may choose to apply for the Hajj Visa online using Nusuk.
When you apply for the Hajj Visa you will need to submit all of your supporting documents, including a digital copy of your passport, passport-sized photographs, and completed Hajj Visa application form.
All you have to do is submit the necessary documentation to the travel agency and they will handle the rest. The agency will apply for the Hajj Visa online for you
Your agency will notify you once you receive approval for your Hajj Visa application. The agency will provide you with all necessary visa documentation. Double-check that everything is correct and ensure that you carry all necessary documents with you when traveling to Saudi Arabia. Make sure to comply with all visa regulations during your trip.
Hajj Visa Required Documents
It is essential to carefully review the required documents you must provide in order to obtain a Hajj Visa. Making sure your supporting documents are fully complete and accurate helps ensure that you will have a seamless and successful application process.
Valid Passport
You must have a valid passport that has at least six months of validity beyond your intended entry date into Saudi Arabia.
Passport-Sized Photos
Make sure that your photos meet the specific requirements specified by your tour operator. They should have a white background and a clear shot of your entire face.
Proof of Muslim Identity
As you are required to be a follower of Islam to participate in the pilgrimage, you must be able to provide proof of your Muslim identity. This may be with a certificate of conversion to Islam, a letter from a mosque or Islamic organization, etc.
Health Certificate
You should be in good health in order to participate in Hajj. If you have a health condition, you must have your doctor provide you with a health certificate ensuring you are able to handle the physically demanding rituals of Hajj.
Travel Itinerary
You are required to provide your detailed itinerary of your Hajj travel plans. This includes your flight bookings, accommodation details, and tour program details.
Vaccination Certificates
All Hajj Visa holders are required to submit vaccination records for Meningitis. You must have received this vaccination between 3 years and 10 days prior to arrival in Saudi Arabia. Some nationalities are required to also provide vaccination records against Yellow Fever or Polio.
Please note that additional requirements may apply depending on the visa type or your nationality. For instance, work visas may necessitate a valid job offer from a Kuwaiti employer, while student visas may require acceptance from an educational institution in Kuwait.
Hajj Visa Fees
The specific Hajj Visa fee is free. There are costs associated with the trip, including service fees, costs of the program you choose, and any additional expenses. Booking a Hajj package through the authorized Hajj agency will be the most expensive aspect when partaking in Hajj. Hajj Visa prices for packages can often reach between $3,000 and $10,000 US Dollars.
Visa Processing Time
After the specific Hajj Visa application period, the Saudi government will complete the visa-issuing process between March 1st and April 29th of 2024. Typically, the Saudi embassy will issue Hajj visas about 2-3 weeks after Ramadan and will continue the process for around 4 weeks. The Hajj Visa processing time will be the quickest for those who applied the earliest and those who applied later will be the last to receive their Hajj Visas.
FAQ
In recent years, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has removed the law that a woman must be accompanied by her husband or a male family member. Without a male to accompany her, women must participate in Hajj with a group of women. With this new law in place, over 4,300 women from India participated in the Hajj pilgrimage without men in 2023.
The Umrah period starts exactly one month after Hajj ends. Since you are required to leave Saudi Arabia after finishing the Hajj pilgrimage, in order to partake in the Umrah pilgrimage you will be required to apply for a new visa to re-enter Saudi Arabia and perform Umrah. To travel to Saudi Arabia for Umrah, some nationalities are eligible to apply for an e-Tourist Visa, while others will be required to find an authorized travel agent and apply using their Umrah e-services.
Using the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s electronic portal of Nusuk, you can apply online for a Hajj Visa.