Hajj Visa-Introduction
Hajj visas/ permits for entry into the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are issued to pilgrims of Islamic religion for the purpose of performing Hajj. This visa is free of cost and is valid for entry only in to Jeddah, Makkah and Madinah.
Important dates (Represented in Islamic calendar month of each year):
| Period for visa issuance for Hajj: | Mid- Shawwal until 25th day of Dhual-Qa'dah |
| Hajj period: | 8th to 13th days of Dhul-Hijjah |
| Last day to enter the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for Hajj: | 4th day of Dhul-Hijjah |
| Last day to leave the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia after performing Hajj: | 10th day of Muharram |
Applications for Hajj visa will not be considered if the following requirements are not met:
-
The applicant must have a passport with a validity of at least
six (6) months and acceptable both for entry to Saudi Arabia and entry
to the next destination; the passport should have at least two empty
visa pages adjacent to each other.
-
Each applicant must submit one (1) recent passport size color
photograph with a white background. The photograph must be a full-face
view in which the visa applicant is facing the camera directly. Side or
angled views are NOT accepted.
-
A completed application form filled-out with black ink or
printed; the form must be signed and stamped by the authorized travel
agency.
-
The Mahram should write his complete information on the
application forms of his spouse and children or any relative with whom
he is traveling. He should also provide copies of marriage or birth
certificates; if these documents were issued outside the US, he should
then provide copies translated and notarized by a certified translation
office.
-
All women are required to travel for Hajj with a Mahram. Proof of
kinship must be submitted with the application form. Women over the age
of forty-five (45) may travel without a Mahram with an organized group,
They must, however submits a no objection letter from her husband, son
or brother authorizing her to travel for Hajj with the named group. This
letter should be notarized.
-
The applicant must be in possession of a non-refundable roundtrip ticket with confirmed reservations.
-
The applicant must submit proof of vaccination for meningitis and
ACYW135. For infants and children up to fifteen (15) years of age, a
vaccination report is required for polio as well as meningitis and
polio. Children over fifteen (15) years of age should present the same
vaccinations requested for adults.
-
Each pilgrim should submit two certified checks or cashier checks
payable to "Unified Agents Office" in Jeddah for pilgrimage services.
These checks should include the name and the passport number of the
pilgrim. Each applicant must pay the following fees:
(a) US $158.40 (one hundred fifty-eight dollars & forty cents) for
services rendered by the local Tawaf agencies and for housing at the
Holy sites.
(b) US $116.00 (one hundred sixteen dollars) for air-conditioned
transportation services.
Pilgrims have the option to submit one check combining both fees: in
this case, the amount would be US $274.40 (two hundred seventy-four
dollars & forty cents).
Children between the ages of seven (7) and fifteen (15) should only pay
half of the above-mentioned amount.
Children under the age of seven (7) do not need to pay.
-
Non-U.S. citizens should submit a copy of their green card or
othert proof of legal residence status in the US. Passport authorities
in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia reserve the right to return (at his or
her own expense) any pilgrim who has provided wrong or false information
about their residence in the US at his or her expense.
-
No minor (under 18 years of age) will be granted a Hajj visa if not
accompanied by his family. Minors travelling one parent must submit a
notrized letter of authorization, in either in Arabic or English, signed
by both parents or legal guardians.
-
If the applicant has converted to Islam, an Islamic certificate
must be presented; this needs to be notarized by an Islamic Center.
Hajj Visa Guideline - Travelers must carry vaccination certificates with them for inspection by the Saudi Authority at port of entry.
- No food products are allowed into the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
- The last day to enter King Abdulaziz Airport in Jeddah for the purpose of Hajj is 4 Dhu Al-Hijjah of each year.
- Upon arrival, pilgrims shall hand their passports to the "Unified Agents Office" representatives to enable the latter to complete all travel formalities to Makkah and Madinah.
- In the event that pilgrims lose their passport, they should immediately report the loss to the same office appointed to take care of them during Hajj. Applicants must obtain a report from the office of the Unified Agents in which the loss of passport is mentioned.
- If pilgrims should lose their passport, they should immediately report the loss to the same office appointed to take care of them during Hajj. Applicantsmust obtain a report from the office of the Unified Agents in wihc the loss of the passport is mentiond.
- All pilgrims must leave the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia after Hajj no later than the 10th of Muharram of each year. The rules and regulations of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia forbid any pilgrims from staying in the country after the completion of Hajj.
- All non-resident and non-GCC travellers require a visa for traveling within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
- Applicants from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries do not require a visa to enter into the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the purpose of Hajj, however a Hajj Permit is necessary.
- During the three weeks of Hajj period, travellers holding a Hajj visa must enter the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia only through Jeddah or Madinah and shall not be allowed entry through Riyadh and Dammam by the Immigrations department.
- The above term shall apply to travellers from all nationalities except the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) who shall be accepted without any restriction.
- All UAE nationals are required to carry their passports to travel to/ from Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and GCC ID cards will no longer be accepted by Saudi Authorities
- Travellers are required to carry vaccination certificates with them for inspection by the Saudi Authority at port of entry.
Process for Hajj Visa- Each applicant for a Hajj visa must apply through a licensed travel agency
- Please check the document requirements for applying for a Hajj Visa and submit these to the licensed travel agent prior to the visa issuance period mentioned in the table abov
- Children below the age of 5 years are not required to submit their biometrics data.
- The Hajj committees and agents have direct access to the Hajj applications in the MoFA system and the Mission will review the applications and make the decision on visa issuance.
Hajj Baggage Allowance Regulations- The Ministry of Hajj would like to stress the important to
adhere to the baggage restrictions on all pilgrims arriving and
departing the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia:
- Maximum baggage weight: 32 kg [70lbs]
- Maximum size: 56x45x25cm [20x17.7x9.8in].
- Excess baggage must be shipped. Authorized Hajj cargo service centers have been established in Makkah and at King Abdulaziz International Airport support services area.
- Ref:Saudi Embassy
- Ref:Mecca