Top News

Saudi Arabia’s Hajj and Umrah Ministry has announced the end of the Hajj season of 2026. This announcement was made after the departure of the last group of passengers. The government said that all kinds of facilities were provided to the passengers at the airport, port and land routes so that they could perform their prayers without any hassle.

This entire operation was supervised by Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Nayef, Interior Minister and Chairman of the Supreme Haj Committee. Prince Saud bin Mishaal bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Governor of the Makkah Region, and the Ministry of Interior also confirmed the success of this season. The ministry said that the entire support system was kept active until the last passenger departed from the country.

Digital systems and new rules

This time in Haj, more emphasis was given on digital system instead of paperwork. for international travelers Nusuk Registration through the platform was mandatory. For entry and access to the camps, ‘Nusuk Card’ was used, which was available in both digital and physical form. Additionally, matching of passports and visas as well as health documents for passengers was also done digitally.

Strong health and safety arrangements

The Saudi Defense Ministry had implemented a big plan for the safety and health of passengers. Many special facilities were provided under this:

• Medical Services: Health missions were set up at 41 different places, with more than 1,100 beds and more than 2,160 medical staff deployed. Air ambulance service was also operational for serious patients through four special aircraft.
• Crowd Management: Ground forces helped handle crowds and screen dangerous goods. The Royal Saudi Air Force patrolled the skies, while the Navy handled port security.
• Logistics: Due to ‘Makkah Route Initiative’, passengers got the facility to complete the entry process in their own country, which reduced the crowd at the airport.

A new licensing system was introduced from October 2025 to improve the accommodation system in Mecca and Medina. In this, the Ministry of Tourism and Municipality worked together with the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah. Passengers were advised to book only through licensed companies to avoid fraud.

Preparation for Hajj 2027

Along with announcing the official completion on 30 June 2026, Saudi Arabia has also presented the roadmap for Hajj 2027. The government will now work on improving operational planning for the coming year and increasing coordination between departments so that the passenger experience can be made more pleasant.