Saudi Arabia will begin issuing Hajj visas to intending pilgrims worldwide from February 8, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah confirmed on Thursday.
Accordingly, the ministry said the early launch supports an accelerated timeline aimed at improving service readiness and pilgrim comfort, nearly four months before the rituals, while advancing objectives under the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.
Moreover, officials confirmed that contracts covering all services at the holy sites for overseas pilgrims have been finalised, alongside accommodation agreements in Makkah processed through the Nusk platform.
Meanwhile, registrations continue at pace, with about 750,000 pilgrims signed up globally so far. Additionally, authorities reported that travel packages for 30,000 pilgrims were booked directly from their home countries.
Furthermore, the ministry allocated roughly 485 camps for international pilgrims at the sacred sites, while 73 Hajj affairs offices completed their basic contractual arrangements.
In Pakistan, authorities completed registration for 119,000 government pilgrims and 60,000 private pilgrims, Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Muhammad Yousaf confirmed earlier.
He said preparations are progressing in line with the Saudi timeline, as arrangements for food, transport and other services were finalised through competitive processes.
Reflecting on last year, the minister noted that during Hajj 2025, authorities returned Rs3.5 billion in refunds to 75 percent of Pakistani pilgrims, with individual amounts ranging from Rs12,000 to Rs110,000.
Finally, he added that nationwide training sessions, supported by audio-visual tools, operated at 147 locations, ensuring disciplined participation throughout the pilgrimage. Consequently, officials expect smoother operations, improved coordination, and enhanced experiences for pilgrims arriving during the upcoming Hajj season worldwide this year.
