All About Al Hajj Visa

• Hajj Visa types 
• Hajj Visa Fees  
• When to Apply for Hajj Visa  
• How to Apply for Hajj Visa  
• Hajj Visa Requirements 
• Hajj with Children  
• Hajj Costs  

Hajj is the fifth of the fundamental Muslim practices, and it is the pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia, which every adult Muslim must make at least once in a lifetime. Hajj begins on the 7th day of Duh al-Hejjaha, the last month of the Islamic year, and ends on the 12th day. To attend Hajj, you must issue a Hajj visa from Saudi Arabia, and in this article, we’ll shed light on all information you need to know about Hajj visa.   

Hajj Visa types 

Saudi Arabia allows pilgrims to attend Makkah using a Hajj visa, and the validity period of the Hajj visa shall cover the Hajj season. For those who want to stay longer, there are other types of visas that pilgrims can issue:   

• 3 months visit visa: It’s to perform Umrah or do business; its validity period shall be for 3 months and the length of stay for one month (one entry visa).  

• 1-year visit visa: It’s to perform Umrah or do business; its validity period shall be for one year and the length of stay for three months (multiple entry visa). 

Hajj Visa Fees  

The fee for issuing a Hajj visa shall be 300 Saudi riyals for each pilgrim coming to Saudi Arabia. In addition, the other visa types mentioned above cost 300 Saudi Riyals as well.   

When to Apply for Hajj Visa  

The last date for granting Hajj visas by the Kingdom's embassies abroad shall be the 25th Dhu al-Qidah of each Hijri year.   

How to Apply for Hajj Visa  

The application form is available from your nearest Saudi Consulate, or a person may apply for a visa through the E-Track. It is advisable to register for Hajj with a licensed travel agent in your country, so your Hajj trip will be more organized, and they’ll get you the best hotel deals. In addition, they’ll take care of getting you a Hajj visa. So, the total cost will cover the whole trip expenses, including a Hajj visa, two ways flight, accommodation, food, transportation, and other expenses.    

Hajj Visa Requirements 

Hajj application must include the following requirements: 

• Valid passport for at least six more 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 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. (Some travel agents require two color photos, one for the visa application and the other for the group identification card).  

• The applicant must submit a completed application form filled in with a black ink pen or printed; the form must be signed and stamped by the authorized travel agency. 

• The Mahram should write on the application forms complete information on his spouse and children or any relative with whom he is traveling.  

• The Mahram should also provide copies of marriage or birth certificates since women are required to travel for Hajj with a Mahram. 

• Any woman over the age of 45 may travel without a Mahram with an organized group (She submits a notarized letter of no objection from her Mahram authorizing her to travel for Hajj with the named group).  

• 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 15 years of age, a vaccination report is required for polio as well as meningitis. 

• Children over 15 years of age should present the same vaccinations requested for adults. 

• The certificate of vaccination should have been issued not more than three years and not less than 10 days prior to entering Saudi Arabia. 

• Each pilgrim should submit two certified checks or cashier checks payable to 'Unified Agents Office' in Jeddah for pilgrimage services, and checks should include the name and the passport number of the pilgrim and date and place of issue (guides, Zamzam water agents, tent accommodation in Mina and Arafat and transportation costs). 

• Each applicant must pay the appropriate fees. (Pilgrims have the option to submit one check combining both fees, and children between the ages of seven and fifteen should only pay half of the amount, and children under the age of seven do not need to pay) 

• Applicants who are not nationals of the country they are applying from should submit documented proof of legal residence status. 

• If the applicant has converted to Islam, an Islamic certificate must be presented which must be notarized by an Islamic Center. 

Note: 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 addition, no applicant under the legal age of eighteen will be granted a Hajj visa if not accompanied by his family. 

Hajj with Children  

Children can accompany their parents on Hajj, where parents should include their names in the parent passport and attach their birth certificates When applying for a Hajj visa. Note that Children and women under 45 should be accompanied by a Mahram (a male relative). 

Hajj Costs  

The Umrah and Hajj visas are free, but pilgrims must pay for the following: 

• Hajj Visa (SR 300) 

• Day-to-day expenses (Hotel, Food..etc)  

• two checks to cover the cost of guides, Zamzam water agents, tent accommodation in Mina and Arafat, and transportation costs. (Ask the Saudi Consulate in your country about the current level of these charges)   

Pilgrimage is affordable for most locals living in Saudi Arabia. But it is a bit costly for those living outside KSA, where they can expect the total cost to range from US$3,000 to US$10,000 per person, where this money will use cash for many of the day-to-day expenses.