The Al-Otair Foundation (مؤسسة العطير الخيرية) runs one of Saudi Arabia’s charity Hajj campaigns, offering fully sponsored pilgrimages to citizens and residents who cannot afford the journey to Makkah. Here’s how the program works and how to apply.
What Is the Al-Otair Free Hajj Campaign?
The Al-Otair Charity Hajj Campaign is a Saudi-based initiative that covers the full cost of Hajj — including transport, accommodation, and logistics — for eligible applicants inside the Kingdom.
The foundation operates its own Hajj registration portal and a companion mobile app called Alotair-Haj (available on Google Play), which helps accepted pilgrims navigate meeting points, select accommodation, find the Qibla direction, and access customer support during the pilgrimage.
How it differs from standard Hajj
Unlike the Nusuk platform packages — which require pilgrims to pay for their own Hajj package via SADAD — the Al-Otair campaign is entirely donor-funded. Accepted pilgrims pay nothing.
If you’re exploring other free pilgrimage options, our guide to free Umrah sponsorships covers additional legitimate programs worth checking.
Who Is Eligible?
The Al-Otair Foundation’s published eligibility criteria are specific. You must meet all four conditions:
- Be a Saudi citizen or a resident (iqama holder) inside the Kingdom
- Be at least 25 years old
- Have never performed Hajj before
- Be financially unable to afford Hajj on your own
What about residents outside Saudi Arabia?
The campaign is only open to people already inside the Kingdom, either with a valid national ID or a valid residency permit (Iqama). According to the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, performing Hajj from within the Kingdom requires a valid national ID or residency permit; visit or work visas are not accepted.
Slots are limited and selection is reportedly done by draw. Shortlisted applicants are notified via SMS.
How to Apply
Registration is 100% online. Follow these steps:
- Visit the official portal at haj.alotair-charity.sa
- Fill in your personal details, including your national ID or iqama number
- Submit the application and wait for an SMS notification
Registration red flags to watch for
The foundation explicitly warns applicants to register only through the official website. Do not apply through WhatsApp groups, social media agents, or any third-party intermediaries claiming to guarantee acceptance.
This is critical — the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has repeatedly warned against fraudulent Hajj operators. Our guide on how to spot fake Hajj and Umrah services covers what to verify before trusting any Hajj offer.
How to Verify the Campaign Is Legitimate
Free Hajj offers attract scams, so due diligence matters. Here’s how to protect yourself:
- Check that the website domain ends in .sa — Saudi domains are regulated and require a Saudi commercial or charity registration
- Look up the foundation’s charity license number with the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development
- Verify the Hajj operator through the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah website or by calling 920002814
- Never pay any fee — legitimate charity Hajj campaigns do not ask for money
If any entity asks for payment, personal bank details, or directs you to unofficial channels, treat it as a scam.
What to Do If You’re Accepted
If you receive an acceptance SMS, your next steps involve preparing for the pilgrimage itself. The foundation’s Alotair-Haj app provides meeting point maps, accommodation details, and real-time support during Hajj.
Preparing for Hajj
If this is your first pilgrimage, our Hajj for first timers guide walks you through every ritual step by step — from ihram to the farewell tawaf. You can also read up on how long Hajj takes to plan your time off.
For practical logistics, check our Hajj packing list and last-minute checklist to make sure you’re fully prepared.
You’ll also need to ensure your Nusuk Card — the mandatory smart identification for all Hajj pilgrims — is sorted before departure. For crowd safety tips during the rituals, see our Hajj crowd safety guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can expats outside Saudi Arabia apply for Al-Otair free Hajj?
No. The campaign is only open to Saudi citizens and residents (iqama holders) currently inside the Kingdom. People outside Saudi Arabia are not eligible.
Is the Al-Otair free Hajj campaign a scam?
The Al-Otair Foundation operates on a .sa domain and has a published Google Play app. However, always verify any Hajj charity through the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah (920002814) before sharing personal information. Legitimate programs never ask for payment.
When does Al-Otair registration open for Hajj 2026?
Registration for the 1447 AH (2026) campaign has already been announced. Check haj.alotair-charity.sa directly for current status, as slots are limited and registration periods may close without notice.
Sources
- Al-Otair Foundation — Charity Hajj Campaign Portal
- Al-Otair Foundation — Official Website
- Google Play — Alotair-Haj App
- Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah — FAQ
- Saudi Gazette — Hajj Ministry Warns Against Fake Companies
- Arab News — Saudi Arabia Issues Warning About Hajj and Umrah Online Scams
Disclaimer: Wego strives to ensure all information presented in this article is accurate and up to date at the time of publication. Travel policies, prices, visa requirements, and conditions can change rapidly. We strongly recommend verifying critical details with official sources before making travel decisions. Wego does not accept liability for any inaccuracies, oversights, or changes that may occur after publication.
