Hajj 2026: Saudi Arabia announces visa issuance date

RIYAD: Saudi Arabia has announced that the issuance of visas for Hajj 2026 will begin on February 8, the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah said.

According to the ministry, the visa process is being launched earlier than usual this year to ensure timely completion of Hajj arrangements and to provide better facilities to pilgrims.

The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah said that 100 per cent of service contracts for pilgrims arriving from abroad have already been finalised. All accommodation agreements for pilgrims in Makkah have also been completed through the Nusuk platform, it added.

Saudi authorities said that 750,000 pilgrims have so far completed registration, while 30,000 pilgrims have booked Hajj packages directly from their respective countries.

The ministry said the early issuance of visas reflects advance planning for Hajj 2026, aimed at further streamlining arrangements and improving the quality of services provided to millions of pilgrims arriving from around the world.

Earlier, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan signed a formal agreement in Jeddah to provide Pakistan pilgrims with high-quality facilities during Hajj 2026.

The ceremony for Hajj agreement 2026 took place between Saudi Deputy Minister of Hajj Abdul Fattah bin Suleiman and Pakistan’s Secretary for Religious Affairs Atta-ur-Rehman.  

Saudi’s ambassador to Pakistan Nawaf bin Saeed Al-Malki, DG Hajj Jeddah Abdul Wahab, director Hajj Makkah Azizullah, director Hajj Madinah Zia and deputy secretary for Hajj policy Kashif Hussain and others were present during the ceremony.

In the end, Atta-ur-Rehman thanked the Saudi officials who agreed to the provision of high-quality facilities for Pakistani pilgrims during Hajj 2026.