Story highlights – Haj Committee of India started the registration for Haj 2023 applications on February 10. Earlier, the last date for the Haj 2023 application submission was March 10. However, the Haj Committee of India has extended the date for application.check details here.
Haj 2023: Haj Committee of India started the registration for Haj 2023 applications on February 10. Earlier, the last date for the Haj 2023 application submission was March 10. However, the Haj Committee of India has extended the date for application from March 10 to March 20. Interested pilgrims who wish to attend Haj 2023 can apply online from the official website, hajcommittee.gov.in.
The Haj is a pilgrimage for Muslims to their most sacred place, Mecca, Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia has restored India’s Haj quota pre-Covid levels at 1.75 lakhs in a bilateral agreement between the two countries. Haj, a pilgrimage to ‘Kaaba’ or House of Allah, is a mandatory religious duty for Muslims.
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When can I book Hajj for 2023?
During the Hajj 2023 season, the online registration for Hajj process took place almost for a month, from 13 February until 10 March 2023.
What is the quota for Hajj 2023 for India?
India’s distribution of Hajj slots for pilgrims – Earlier this year, the Indian consulate in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, tweeted that India signed the Haj 2023 bilateral agreement with Saudi Arabia. According to this, a total of 1,75,025 Indian Hajj pilgrims will be able to perform the Hajj, reportedly the highest in history.
Reports suggest that the way the system has traditionally worked is that the quota allotted to India (by Saudi Arabia) is then further distributed by the Ministry of Minority Affairs and the Haj Committee of India (HCoI) to various stakeholders. According to the HCoI’s 2018-22 policy document, 70 per cent of India’s total quota goes to it and 30 per cent goes to private operators.
While private operators are free to charge as they wish and take anyone who pays, the majority of pilgrims traditionally go through the HCoI, which runs a subsidised tour on behalf of the government (though the subsidy is being phased out). Out of the total slots with the HCoI, 500 used to be held under the ‘Government discretionary quota’, whereas the rest were distributed to different states on the basis of their Muslim population, according to the 2018-22 policy.
How much is the Hajj payment for 2023?
Each provisionally selected pilgrims are required to deposit First Instalment of Balance Haj Amount of Rs.1,70,000/-. The amount is to be deposited during the period 17th April 2023 to 24th April 2023.
How to apply for Hajj 2023?
English – Hajj is an annual religious pilgrimage to Mecca undertaken each year by millions of people from all over the world. This year Hajj occurs from approximately June 26, 2023, to July 1, 2023. Umrah is a pilgrimage that can be completed at any time of the year. Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has announced a new electronic portal for Hajj registration and bookings. The portal also allows for electronic Hajj visa applications and offers additional information including an FAQ page and,
Pilgrims who desire to perform Hajj can register directly at: . For help with registration, please either contact the call center or email at , Additional contact information can be found on the site. The portal features various package options, support services, and a multi-lingual communication center that is open around the clock.
Please note that registration does not necessarily mean full approval to perform Hajj. You must register and then wait for confirmation of approval. Hajj pilgrims must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and provide proof of other immunizations explained on the site,
Please note that the process for performing Umrah has changed significantly due to COVID-19, so all travelers should make sure to read through all requirements before booking travel. The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah require certain mobile applications be downloaded and used to request the issuance of permits for scheduled times to enter holy sites.
If you choose to travel to Saudi Arabia to perform Umrah, or require additional information on Hajj and Umrah, please visit the , Please note that once you enter Mecca for Hajj, you cannot depart Saudi Arabia without obtaining permission from the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah until Hajj period is complete. Those who wish to travel to Saudi Arabia to perform religious pilgrimage should review the CDC’s recommendations for traveling to Saudi Arabia and may find the helpful.
Pilgrimage Travel Requirements Hiring Reputable Tour Operators Visa Information Women Pilgrims Travelers with Disabilities Health Transportation at the Airport and Between Ritual Sites Photographs Transport of Agricultural Items and Zamzam Water Safety and Emergency Information Contact Information for Hajj and Umrah Authorities Emergency Contact Information for U.S. Citizens Consular Services for U.S. Citizens
Please see our for additional information. Prospective pilgrims from any country can find information about the rituals and requirements of Hajj at the (please check multiple browsers to be able to access links). For pilgrimage, please note the following:
Current vaccination requirements are available from the website of the . You will need a valid permit to perform Hajj. The Saudi government enforces strict penalties (fines, detention, and travel bans) on people who perform Hajj without this permit. Hajj and Umrah travel plans must be made through an online portal. Register directly at: , This is how you obtain entry, accommodation, and transportation in Saudi Arabia. the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah on social media to receive updates and announcements.
Please ensure that you are guaranteed a Hajj permit. Your registration must be approved in the online portal and confirm that you have secured accommodations and transportation, in addition to an entry visa. Failure to obtain a permit can result in:
Immediate deportation Detention Large fines Ban on future travel to Saudi Arabia
Do not travel to Saudi Arabia without lodging or transportation arrangements made in advance. You may face difficulties with Saudi immigration and have trouble finding available services once you have arrived. The U.S. Embassy in Riyadh and Consulates General in Jeddah and Dhahran cannot assist in arranging travel permissions within Saudi Arabia or resolving immigration violations. Once you enter Mecca for Hajj, you cannot depart Saudi Arabia without obtaining permission from the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah until Hajj period is complete.U.S.
- Citizens resident in Saudi Arabia must also register for Hajj using the online platform Keep travel documents (your U.S.
- Passport or U.S.
- Green card” residency permit) secure during your trip. Make two copies of your passport—including pages stamped with Saudi visas—with one saved digitally and the other in a safe place while you travel.
Always carry contact information for:
U.S. Consulate General Jeddah Your hotel The group you may be travelling with
Hajj and Umrah are attractive targets for defrauding unsuspecting travelers. Be aware of unscrupulous personal guides or individuals who may pose as tour operators, who abandon pilgrims, leaving them with unpaid bills, and hoteliers who demand the payment of exorbitant “hidden charges” for the return of passports.
Report the loss immediately to your travel agent. Obtain a report from the local police. Contact the U.S. Consulate General in Jeddah for assistance issuing replacement passports to U.S. citizens, and “boarding foils” to U.S. legal permanent residents who lose their residency permits. Please note however, that once you begin performing Hajj in Mecca, you cannot depart Saudi Arabia until Hajj period is complete without obtaining permission from the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah.
The Hijri calendar is used in Saudi Arabia for all official functions. Please review the dates on your visa carefully, and make sure you know when it expires. Do not overstay your Hajj or Umrah visa, Penalties for overstays may include fines amounting to thousands of dollars, detention pending deportation proceedings, and bans on returning to Saudi Arabia in the future.
- Umrah visas are typically valid for about 90 days.
- You must depart before the visa expires.
- During Hajj, the government may set new departure requirements that limit when you can depart.
- Local regulations include provisions that may keep you from leaving early.
- Travelers must comply with all Saudi government travel regulations.
Permitted areas of travel and duration of stay: If you are unsure, be sure to ask Saudi airport officials or the Passport Office (jawazat) for clarification upon arrival.
Hajj and Umrah (pilgrimage) visas are not valid for work or residency, Now U.S. citizen pilgrims can perform Umrah on their electronically issued visa. Non-Muslims are forbidden to travel to Mecca and the portions of Medina which are considered sacred. All pilgrims must leave Saudi Arabia after Hajj no later than the 10th of Muharram of each year (this year approximately July 28, 2023). Pilgrims are forbidden to stay in Saudi Arabia after the completion of Hajj.
As of June 2021, women of all ages can now register for Hajj without a male guardian as long as they go in a group with other women. Be prepared for standards of accessibility and accommodation below the minimum of what is required in the United States.
- While most of the Holy Sites, such as the Grand Mosque in Mecca, are handicap-accessible, most hotels and transportation options are not.
- Check with your tour group provider to ensure your needs are well known and can be accommodated.
- Please note that special Covid requirements are outlined at the beginning of this information page.
Make sure your routine immunizations are up to date, and ask your tour operator about the vaccinations required for your visa. Hepatitis A and B and polio vaccinations are also recommended. Make sure to check language on medical needs (get your prescriptions, get your flu shot; meningitis and other vaccinations may be recommended by your doctor).
- Carry hand sanitizer, as well as treatments for colds, diarrhea, rash, and anything else you might need.
- Heat-related illnesses (high risk): Move to a cool area and seek medical attention if you experience profuse sweating, chills, headache, dizziness, and nausea.
- Temperatures at pilgrimage sites consistently exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit during the summer.
Stay hydrated, rest, and use protection from the sun. There are facilities providing water, public accommodations, and other amenities. Due to large crowds, however, travelers should expect long wait times for basic amenities, especially in Mina, Muzdalifa, and Arafat.
Due to the incredible numbers of people being simultaneously processed at the King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, disembarking, immigration and customs processes may take quite a few hours.
Expect a lengthy wait in hot and humid conditions before leaving the airport. Travelers with only carry-on bags will find their airport experience to be much easier than those with checked baggage. Some Hajj pilgrims now fly directly to Medina and proceed to Mecca by road. There is no option to fly to Mecca.
Between Ritual Sites
The Saudi government provides strict timetables to Hajj groups for all travel (bus, light rail, and foot) between the ritual sites. All routes and modes of transport will be extremely congested, and travelers should prepare for long delays. Light rail trains are typically overwhelmed, with pilgrims waiting several hours at the train stations at Arafat and Muzdalifah on crowded platforms before being able to board a train. Train cars will also be very crowded. Timetables and light rail movements are outside the control of travel agencies. Use maps and smartphone applications to navigate the Hajj ritual sites that stretch from the Grand Mosque (Al Masjid al Haram) to Arafat.
Saudi authorities forbid the taking of photographs (still or video, including those taken with your phone) at the Holy Mosque at Mecca or at the Prophet’s Mosque at Medina. Any violation of official instructions is likely to lead to the confiscation of your device.
Please exercise good judgment and respect the rules of each site. See for guidance on bringing religious articles back to the United States. We recommend that travelers returning to the U.S. not bring any food items, including dates, that are not commercially processed and in their sealed, original container.U.S.
CBP officers at the port of entry to the U.S. are responsible for deciding which items to allow. Zamzam water (drawn from the sacred Zamzam well inside the Grand Mosque): Please check with your travel agent and airline for guidance on including Zamzam water as checked baggage.
| In the event of an emergency, please use your social media and In the event of an emergency, please use your social media and other accounts to let family and friends know that you are OK. Doing so reassures your loved ones and allows our Embassy and Consulate staff to focus their efforts on helping other people in need of emergency assistance. |
Emergency Contact Information for Hajj Authorities
The National Tawafa Company for Pilgrims of Turkey and Muslims of Europe, Americas, and Australia Telephone: +966-920-012-013 Fax: 966-920-006-620 Website: Street Address: Mecca Al Mukarramah, Al Nuzha Road, near Alnuzha Bridge Health Affairs 012-530-8812 Lost Pilgrims 012-530-8813 Emergency Services For all emergencies including ambulance service call 911.
Note: When dialing the Jeddah area (includes Mecca and Taif) from the U.S., use country code 966 and city code 12. For example, dial 011-966-012-220-5000 to reach us at U.S. Consulate General Jeddah. When dialing the Riyadh area, use city code 11, e.g.011-966-11-835-4000 for the U.S. Embassy. Cell phone numbers do not use the city code. Emergency Contact Information for U.S. Citizens
U.S. Embassy Riyadh: (966) (11) 835-4000 U.S. Consulate General Jeddah: (966) (12) 220-5000 U.S. Consulate General Dhahran: (966) (13) 839-5700
Hours of operation are from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. local time in Saudi Arabia, Sunday through Thursday for routine inquiries. During regular business hours, please ask for the American Citizen Services Unit. In 2023, the U.S. Embassy and Consulates General will be closed for routine services during the Eid-al-Adha holiday between June 27 and July 2.
For emergency cases outside of regular business hours or during holidays, use the same numbers listed above to reach a duty officer for assistance. In addition, you can call the Department of State from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays): From the U.S.
& Canada: 1-888-407-4747 From Overseas: +1-202-501-4444 What We Can and Cannot Do We hope that you will have a trouble-free Hajj or Umrah, as thousands of other pilgrims from the United States do each year. If something does go wrong, the U.S. Consulate General in Jeddah can provide you appropriate consular services, such as:
Arrange for emergency U.S. passports and “boarding foils” for lost I-551 (“green cards”) for U.S. Lawful Permanent Residents. After Hajj, please bring a report from the police station regarding the theft or loss, and a copy of your U.S. passport or green card if possible. Seek to contact you within 24 hours of being told that you have been arrested. Make special arrangements in case of civil disturbances or disasters. Provide contact information for local lawyers and hospitals. Arrange for a spouse or next of kin to be informed if you are involved in an accident, arrested, or die, and advise them on the appropriate procedures.
We cannot, however:
Arrange for travel outside of the designated areas in Mecca and Medina. Resolve immigration violations. Become involved in any disputes, involving travel agency, hotel, airline, or any other service provider. Rearrange airline, hotel, or other travel bookings. Pay for hotel, legal, medical, travel, or other bills. Obtain someone’s release from prison. Provide legal advice or intervene in court cases or criminal investigations.
Last Updated: May 5, 2023 : Hajj and Umrah
Can you do Hajj while pregnant?
Women & Childrens Health | CBHUK | Council of British Hajjis
Women and Children during Hajj: The Hajj is a hard journey and requires great effort and woman have their own status during the hajj; they could be pregnant, experience the menstrual period or suffer because of their physical configuration from excessive hardship.Menstrual Period:If the woman to go on the hajj would like to use pms pills in order to perform the hajj rites properly, they should follow the following tips:
To consult a gyncaecologist before going on the Hajj with enough time space (7 days at minimum or according to the gyncaecologist’s tips), to make sure of how to take the pills and the proper dose. The goal of these medicines is to stop the blood from coming down; hence woman must make a point of having them at their specific time according to the gyncaecologist’s tips.
- There are some side effects for such pills of which there are nausea, headache, pains in the breast areas, mood swings, and nervousness.
- Each woman has their own nature, so they must consult the gyncaecologist to recognize suitable medicines, helping them perform the Hajj rites smoothly and easily.
- Pregnant Women and Hajj: It is recommended postponing the Hajj for the pregnant woman for the following reasons: They could experience some complications such as inflammations or be vulnerable to any infection due to immunodeficiency and overcrowding.
They are likely to sustain sun strokes. They are likely be vulnerable to physical exhaustion as a result of walking for long distances, which could lead to the sustaining of contractions in the lower area of the abdomen and backaches. They are likely to sustain physical injuries as a result of the overcrowding, which could lead to complications affecting the pregnancy safety and fetus life.
They are likely to sustain severe drought because of not having enough amount of fluids. The pregnant should postpone Hajj in the following cases: Preterm birth disease history Early miscarriage cases. Suffering from pregnancy diabetes. Heart and hypertension diseases or kidney patients and others Health Tips for the Pregnant Woman: To consult an obedtrician in order to know if you could go on the Hajj without sustaining any health complications.
To make sure of consulting the obedtrician if they could be vaccinated against the meningitis and influenza before at least ten days of the Hajj. To make sure of bringing all the necessary medicines as enough as all the Hajj period along. To make a point of wearing the proper, snug clothes and shoes.
- To have an enough amount of fluids.
- To walk for little period every an hour or two to avoid the venous thrombosis of legs To avoid crowding and to choose the proper times to perform the rites.
- When you feel bleeding, abdominal contractions, migraine, or high temperature, you should head to the nearest health center or hospital.
To avoid any excessive physical effort and apply the legitimate license according to its conditions when necessary such as using the wheel chair during Tawaf (circumambulation) and Sa’i (walking) when feeling strain. Infants and Children during the Hajj: It is recommended not to be accompanied by children who are not at puberty during the Hajj for the following reason: Children are more vulnerable to get infected with diseases such as respiratory tract and digestive tract infections, or gastroenteritis.
Children are more vulnerable to lose fluids than adults either because of the high temperature or the little water they consume. Exhaustion tires children during the Hajj and could suppress their appetite; hence leading to the loss of the body’s fluids. Children are more vulnerable to get lost because of the overcrowding during the hajj.
Tips the Parents must know when brining their children along: Generally speaking, parents must be interested in making their children adhere to the general health tips during the Hajj (you can refer to the main list of the website) and they must specifically be interested in the following: Making a point of putting a bracelet around the child’s wrist showing their full name.
Residence place, telephone number, and the name of the convoy. Making sure that the child has taken the main vaccinations. It is recommended that the child take Escherichia coli bacterium (Haemophilus influenza) ten days before travelling if it were among the main vaccinations. Having fluids to excess to avoid drought.
Washing hands continuously. Making sure of the cleanliness and dryness of the in-between thighs’ area to prevent exfoliations. Making sure of the food cleanliness. Not bringing children along to overcrowded places as much as possible. Wearing face-masks in the overcrowded places.
Can I go to Hajj 2023?
Current situation – After three years of restricting the number of Hajj pilgrims due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Saudi Arabia government will be allowing Hajj 2023 to return to full capacity. Millions are expected to gather in Mecca to make the Hajj pilgrimage between June 26 and July 1, 2023.
Saudi Arabia has implemented guidelines and restrictions for pilgrims wishing to perform Hajj 2023. Visitors coming from abroad must register with the government of Saudi Arabia. Make sure you meet all requirements for travel to Saudi Arabia and participation in the Hajj before leaving Canada. Large crowds in small areas can increase your risk of getting sick or injured.
Pilgrims performing the Hajj may be at higher risk of exposure to infectious diseases such as COVID-19, Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus ( MERS-CoV ), diphtheria, cholera, measles, mpox, and influenza, The Public Health Agency of Canada is continuing to advise travellers to practise precautions when travelling internationally, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
What is the local Hajj package 2023?
What are the Hajj packages available this year? – The Hajj ministry announced four categories of packages for domestic pilgrims performing Hajj this year. The price of domestic pilgrim packages will begin at 3,984 Saudi riyals ($1,060). The most expensive package will cost 11,435 riyals, with pilgrims accommodated in the six towers in Mina, near Jamarat.
How much is the Hajj permit fee?
How much is a Hajj permit fee? Hajj permit is free of charge for all pilgrims. Pilgrims will only need to pay for the Hajj package fee.
Can over 65 go to Hajj 2023?
What Is the Maximum Age Limit for Hajj 2023? – There is no maximum age limit for Hajj 2023. However, the Saudi government advises that elderly people and those with underlying health conditions consult their doctors before embarking on the Hajj journey.
What is the largest pilgrimage in the world?
Features – Pictographic world map comparing the largest periodic human migration events “Shia cities, towns and villages all over Iraq empty out” during the 20-day period of the pilgrimage “as their people take to the roads in an elaborately organised and well protected mass movement not seen anywhere else in the world”.
- By 2014, over 19 million people from 40 countries of the world participated in this occasion, making it the second largest gathering in the world.
- The figure reached 22 million pilgrims by 2015, according to Iraqi state-run media.
- By 2016, according to al-Khoei Foundation, almost 22 million pilgrims gathered in Iraq, 10% more than 2014.
Even though the Hindu Kumbh Mela is larger in population, it is only held every four years, and hence the Arba’een pilgrimage is the largest gathering held annually. The pilgrimage is marked by long walks from Najaf or Basra to Karbala. People from different walks of life, ethnicity and sect participate in the march including toddlers in prams and elderly pushed in armchairs.
Can I go to Hajj every year?
Did Mowatif only apply in the West? – In other Muslim-majority countries, the Saudi government usually allocates quotas. In these non-Western countries, government-supervised Hajj missions are available to Muslims, as well as private Hajj tours via authorised travel agencies.
Like every year, quotas will be divided based on the number of Muslims in each country. Those residing in the kingdom have been invited to directly register with the government. Hajj is one of the largest Muslim gatherings and is among the five pillars of Islam. All Muslims who are financially and physically able must attempt to complete the Hajj at least once in their lifetime.
The other pillars include belief in God and Muhammad as a prophet, five daily prayers, fasting and charity.
How to register for Hajj 2023 in ksa?
Those wishing to perform Hajj from inside the Kingdom can register via the Ministry’s website at the link: https://localhaj.haj.gov.sa or through the ‘nusuk.sa’ application, review all Hajj package options, choose the appropriate package, and complete electronic payment operations through convenient electronic
