This article is reviewed regularly by Wego’s editorial team to ensure that the content is up to date & accurate.
Reviewed November 2023
Hajj is the most anticipated event for Muslims worldwide. Following success in the Hajj pilgrimage in 2023, Saudi Arabia is now preparing to once again welcome pilgrims from all over the world to perform the Hajj, including those from India.
Below, we have gathered the Hajj guideline for all Indian nationals wishing to perform the pilgrimage this year. Read further to find out.
Table of Contents
Hajj 2024 from India news – latest updates
Following the completion of the 2023 Hajj season, the Saudi authorities have disclosed significant schedules for the upcoming preparations for the next Hajj pilgrimage. This proactive approach demonstrates their dedication to ensuring the continued success of the Hajj pilgrimage.
The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah issued a new set of guidelines regarding prohibited items for air travel to the country for Hajj. As per their tweet, the following items have been listed as banned:
- unwrapped and tied luggage
- plastic bags
- fabric-wrapped luggage
- excess weight
Kindly comply with the regulations to ensure a hassle-free and secure Hajj pilgrimage experience.
Avoid carrying prohibited luggage when you travel. #Proclaim_to_the_People#Makkah_and_Madinah_Eagerly_Await_You pic.twitter.com/taOas7mLJA
— Ministry of Hajj and Umrah (@MoHU_En) May 24, 2023
Hajj 2024 from India dates
As of now, the dates for Hajj 2024/1445H have yet to be confirmed. However, the Saudi Ministry for Hajj and Umrah revealed that the first batch of pilgrims will arrive at the Kingdom on 9 May next year.
Hajj 2024 guidelines from India
As the official guidelines have yet to be released, please note that some of these requirements and rules were observed during this year’s Hajj season and may not apply to Hajj 2024.
Age limit & testing requirements
Anyone who is 12 years old and above can go on Hajj provided that they obtain the basic doses of vaccines approved in the Kingdom, and they must present a negative PCR test taken no more than 72 hours prior to their arrival to the Kingdom.
Passport – vaccination certificate linking
As per the circular issued by the Hajj Committee of India, Indian pilgrims were required to link their passports with their COVID-19 vaccination certificate during Hajj 2023 season.
Vaccination requirements
Starting from Hajj 2023, it is mandatory for all pilgrims to take two COVID-19 vaccine shots and one booster jab in order to participate in the annual Islamic pilgrimage.
The following vaccines are the vaccines approved by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah Saudi Arabia:
- Pfizer/BioNTech. 2 doses
- Oxford/AstraZeneca: 2 doses
- Janssen. 2 doses
- Moderna. 2 doses
- Sinopharm. 2 doses
- Sinovac. 2 doses
- Covaxin. 2 doses
- Sputnik V. 2 doses
- Nuvaxovid. 2 doses
- Covovax. 2 doses
Apart from the COVID-19 vaccines, pilgrims will also have to be vaccinated against yellow fever, meningitis, polio, and seasonal influenza. For more information on these vaccines, check out our dedicated article below.
Quarantine requirements
No quarantine will be necessary for foreign pilgrims fully vaccinated with vaccines approved in Saudi Arabia. However, travellers arriving on visit visas (including pilgrims) must have medical insurance to cover any COVID-19-related treatment costs during their stay.
Permit
Worshippers are no longer required to obtain an appointment to pray at the Grand Mosque in Makkah and the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah. However, they will still need to obtain a Hajj permit through the online app Absher.
Health protocols
Saudi Arabia has lifted many COVID-19 restrictions in the country. Currently, wearing a mask in closed public spaces is not mandatory; however, entering the Grand Mosque in Makkah, Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah, and places for which safety protocols have been issued by Weqaya. Face masks may also be required by some public events, public transportation, and health facilities that wish to uphold their safety measures.
Proof of vaccination via the Tawakkalna app is no longer required to enter most establishments. Social distancing in mosques and other areas no longer applies.
Hajj 2024 application from India
As the official guidelines have yet to be released, please note that some of these requirements and processes were observed during this year’s Hajj season and may not apply to Hajj 2024.
Starting 2023, the process will be entirely digital (online). The application procedure and online filling of the Haj Application Form (HAF) for Hajj 2023 began through the Haj Committee of India (HCOI) website at hajcommittee.gov.in.
The “Haj Mobile App” and Internet applications are both available to the public. Moreover, there is no offline application process for the Haj Yatra.
To complete the online application for Hajj 2023 from India, pilgrims must meet certain prerequisites. A computer or smartphone with an adequate internet connection is required for those who wish to apply. They should also have a working phone number and an active email address. Below are the steps for registering for Hajj 2023 from India:
Required documents
- applicant photo
- mobile number
- valid e-mail address
- registration processing fee of INR 300
- identity card
- first and last page photocopy of passbook
- bank passbook or a cancellation check.
Registration
- go to the official website of the Hajj Committee of India
- click on “Hajj Form” and select “Apply”
- click on “New User Registration”
- fill out the registration form carefully, providing your:
- first and last name
- mobile number
- email ID
- strong password
- confirm the password and enter the security code
- check the box if the information is correct
- click on “submit details”
- you will receive an OTP on your mobile number
- enter the OTP to activate your account by clicking the “Submit” button
- a confirmation message will appear on the screen upon successful submission of OTP.
Fill out the Hajj application form
After signing in, a particular screen will appear.
- click on the appropriate application category
- select the number of Adults from drop-down
- click the “Next” button
- fill in the applicant’s details (as per Indian International Passport), Covid-19 vaccination details, personal details, present residential address, nominee details, bank account details etc
- the fields marked with * are compulsory.
- after entering all the details, click on the declaration and then on the “Save & Next” button
Upload your photo and required documents
- step 3 for uploading images will appear on the screen
- now select the pilgrims from the drop-down
- click on “Browse” to upload your photo & documents
- all documents should be in JPG/JPEG format only
- photograph (passport size) should be between 10kb to 100kb & width between 100pixel to 148pixel
- document size should be between 100kb to 500kb & width between 570pixel to 795pixel
- after uploading the photos and documents, click the ‘Upload’ button
Make the payment
- after uploading the images, applicants will automatically go to the link for fee payment
- applicants can pay the fee through Debit/Credit Card/Net Banking
- select ‘Online Payment’ and click on “Click here to Pay Online”
- after clicking on Pay Online, you will be redirected to the payment gateway and make the payment
- on successful completion of the transaction, a transaction receipt will be generated. After successful payment, kindly re-login to online HAF for final submission
- click on “Final Submission,” and you will get the alert message
- click ‘OK’
Print your HAF (Hajj Application Form)
- a unique system-generated Group ID will be displayed, which indicates the successful completion of the online submission
- to view/print the online Hajj Application Form (HAF), click on “Download PDF”
- NOTE: If documents are uploaded, then no need to submit your printed HAF copy and documents to your respective State Hajj Committee (SHC) at this stage
- if documents are not uploaded, kindly submit the printed HAF copy along with the documents to your respective State Hajj Committee before 31-01-2023 for the completion of HAF
- SHC will scrutinise and verify the details filled out online before generating a cover number
- if you have found a major mistake in HAF, then you can use the delete button
If you have further inquiries, you can call helpline services (Hajj Information Centre) at 022-22107070 (from 8 AM to 8 PM Monday to Saturday) or reach them through e-mail at [email protected] on all working days.
Hajj packages from India 2024
As of now, there has still been no announcement regarding the Hajj packages for 2024. However, as observed last year, to book your Hajj packages, you can easily do so through the Hajj Committee of India — the steps are mentioned above. You can also book your Hajj packages through the MoMA (Ministry of Minority Affairs) India-authorized private travel agents for Hajj enlisted here.
According to the HCI (Hajj Committee of India), the price for the Hajj package is increased to INR 399,500. Meanwhile, if you book your Hajj packages through private tour operators, they will charge around INR 600 or more than the government Hajj package price.
Here’s a list of travel agents approved by the MoMA in the major cities of India:
Ahmedabad
Saudi Haj Travels
Phone number: 9376707003
E-mail: [email protected]
Rajasthan Haj Umrah Tours
Phone number: 00917925395035
E-mail: [email protected]
Bangalore
Round The World Travel and Tours
Phone number: 8197995777
E-mail: [email protected]
Makkah Tours & Travel
Phone number: 00919967077577
E-mail: [email protected]
Baitul Haram Hajj Service
Phone number: 00919845309493
E-mail: [email protected]
Mumbai
The Benzy Tours and Travels
Phone number: 00912239816222
E-mail: [email protected]
Makkah Haj Corporation
Phone number: 00912223465963
E-mail: [email protected]
Al Khalid Tours & Travels
Phone number: 00912223011111
E-mail: [email protected]
Al Hafsha Tours & Travels
Phone number: 00912223400250
E-mail: [email protected]
Asfahan Tours & Travels
Phone number: 919930181046
E-mail: [email protected]
Kozhikode
Safiya Travels
Phone number: 00914952722770
E-mail: [email protected]
Safa Umrah Tours and Travels
Phone number: 00914952701846
E-mail: [email protected]
Salaf Haj Umra Guidance & Service
Phone number: 00914832765100
E-mail: [email protected]
Wandoor Safiya Travels
Phone number: 04931 248398
E-mail: [email protected]
Southern Alliance International Tours & Travels
Phone number: 9324558479
E-mail: [email protected]
Markaz Travel Mart
Phone number: 00914952723831
E-mail: [email protected]
Arabworld Travel and Tradelinks
Phone number: 00914712328386
E-mail: [email protected]
Hyderabad
Al Azam Tours and Travels
Phone number: 00914066786111
E-mail: [email protected]
Al Mohsin Tours and Travels
Phone number: 00914066804545
E-mail: [email protected]
Quba Tours and Travels
Phone number: 9700786786
E-mail: [email protected]
Al Afifa Tours
Phone number: 00919394779877
E-mail: [email protected]
New Delhi
Alif Travels
Phone number: 00911123719411
E-mail: [email protected]
Alhind Tours and Travels
Phone number: 9496005902
E-mail: [email protected]
Aliya Air Travels
Phone number: 00911204017400
E-mail: [email protected]
Destination India Tours & Travels
Phone number: 00919910111290
E-mail: [email protected]
Musafir Tours & Travels
Phone number: 0096658909077
E-mail: [email protected]
Taqwa Tours Corporation
Phone number: 9810294348
E-mail: [email protected]
Al-Ansar Tours & Travels
Phone number: 00966599989695
E-mail: [email protected]
Al Shahin Tour and Travels
Phone number: 9811675783
E-mail: [email protected]
Al-Aqsa Global Services
Phone number: 00911126983435
E-mail: [email protected]
Habib Tours
Phone number: 9899153722
E-mail: [email protected]
Lucknow
United Tours and Travels
Phone Number: 00919935257098
Email: [email protected]
Laraib International Tours and Travels
Phone Number: 00915224003535
Email: [email protected]
Makkah Tours & Travels
Phone Number: 9555151887
Email: [email protected]
Sagar Tours and Travels
Phone Number: 2530047
Email: [email protected]
To see the complete list of the approved travel agents, please refer to the circular by the Ministry of Minority Affairs.
Hajj from India 2024 cost
Please be aware that the information provided below may be subject to change without prior notice. Additionally, the details mentioned pertain to Hajj 2023 and may not apply to Hajj 2024.
This year’s Hajj pilgrimage cost more than the last Hajj season, 2022. Indian Hajj seekers will have to endure a staggering 50 percent increase. Those registering for Hajj through the government’s HCI must pay INR 399,500, while private operators charge up to INR 6 lakh.
The steep increase is due to Saudi Arabia’s decision to jack up various Hajj-related charges. For example, one of the most crucial elements of Hajj, a stay in Mina and Mount Arafat, now costs over INR 124,247 compared to the previous INR 22,778.
For pilgrims from Kerala, applicants selected for the Hajj pilgrimage are required to submit an initial payment of Rs 1,70,000 before 24 April 2023, with the remaining balance to be paid later.