Saudi to Welcome Hajj Pilgrims to Pre-COVID Levels

Saudi Arabia announced it would welcome pilgrims to perform Hajj in the same numbers as the pre-COVID pandemic. All age requirements for pilgrims will also be removed.

Umrah pilgrims' insurance was reduced from SR235 to SR88 by 63 percent. Also, Hajj pilgrims’ insurance was reduced from SR109 to SR29 by 73 percent. This was announced during “Expo Hajj”, the conference and exhibition of Hajj and Umrah services held in Jeddah from Jan. 9-12, 2023.

Umrah visa was extended from 30 days to 90 days and allows its holder to move all around the Kingdom. Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah said the Kingdom is working on the rehabilitation of 100 Islamic historical sites in the upcoming years.

KSA invested over SR200 billion in the infrastructure of the expansion of the Grand Mosque, which makes it the largest construction project in history.

The number of Hajj pilgrims reached 899,353 in 2022, as the easing of COVID-19 restrictions prompted the return of more foreign visitors.