Hajj 2023 Guide for Pilgrims from Qatar

This article is reviewed regularly by Wego’s editorial team to ensure that the content is up to date & accurate.

Updated March 2023

Hajj is the most anticipated event for Muslims worldwide. After 2 years of hiatus, Saudi Arabia now welcomes all pilgrims from all over the world to perform Hajj, including pilgrims from Qatar.

Below, we have gathered the guideline for all the Qatari pilgrims who wish to perform Hajj this year. Read further to find out.

Hajj 2023 from Qatar news – latest updates

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is reported to receive around 2 million pilgrims for Hajj this year as per the statement issued by the Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Dr Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah. Further stressing on the development projects and infrastructure in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to provide quality services to holy sites, Al-Rabiah stated that projects underway are valued at USD 53bn (SR 200bn) and include the Haramain Express Train, which connects Makkah and Madinah in a two-hour journey.

Hajj 2023 from Qatar dates

This year, the annual Hajj season will commence on Monday, 26 June, to Saturday, 1 July 2023, corresponding to the 10th of Dhulhijjah 1444 AH.

Book cheap flights from Qatar to Saudi Arabia

 

Hajj from Qatar requirements and rules

As of now, there are a few requirements and rules that have been announced regarding Hajj 2023. 

Age limit & testing requirements

Hajj will be available this year for all people no less than 18 years old who have obtained the basic doses of vaccines approved in the Kingdom and present a negative PCR test taken no more than 72 hours prior to their arrival to the Kingdom.

In addition, the expatriates who wish to perform Hajj from Qatar should not be less than 40 years and should have been residing in Qatar for at least 10 years.

Vaccination requirements

Pilgrims seeking to perform the Hajj must have completed at least two doses of the Covid-19 vaccines approved by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah of Saudi Arabia, such as Moderna, Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson.

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

Source: Approved Vaccines (moh.gov.sa)

Recently, the PHCC (Primary Health Care Corporation) announced that vaccinations for all Hajj pilgrims are free of charge in 28 PHCC health centres all around Qatar. It is recommended that all pilgrims take their vaccinations 10 days or more before the pilgrimage starts.

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 a permit and appointment to pray at the Grand Mosque in Makkah as well as the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah. However, you will still need to obtain a Hajj permit through the online app Absher.

Makkah entry permit

To regulate the Hajj pilgrimage, the Saudi authorities allowed only those with Hajj and Umrah permits to enter Makkah last year. However, there hasn’t been any official update concerning the Makkah entry permit for this year’s Hajj pilgrimage.

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, it is still required for entry to 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.

The Ministry of Interior has also extended the duration of the requirement to take the booster dose to 8 months. KSA Citizens who wish to undertake international travel outside the Kingdom can now take a third booster dose after 8 months – instead of 3 months.

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.

How to apply for Hajj from Qatar

The Department of Hajj and Umrah of the Ministry of Endowments (Awqaf) and Islamic Affairs launched a new online system for registering pilgrims, which allows offices to register each pilgrim and upload his data and the contract between the office and the pilgrim.

Qataris, GCC citizens and residents who plan to go to Hajj from Qatar are required to apply online through the Department of Hajj and Umrah website at the Ministry of Endowment and Islamic Affairs throughout the month of Sha’ban. The application can be made with these steps:

• vsit the Department of Hajj and Umrah website
• enter your personal information accurately and verify your validity to ensure the acceptance of the application
• upon completing the registration process, the applicant will receive a message including a password to log in to the website in case of including associates, on the condition that the resident or the associate has resided in Qatar for three years or more
• once an online application is successfully completed, the applicant receives a text message from the Department of Hajj and Umrah
• a second message will be sent if the applicant is selected for the pilgrimage
• once all procedures are completed, pilgrims will get a third text message that specifies their identification number

Conditions and instructions for the registration process are available on the website, along with a list of the required documentation, educational brochures on the Hajj rituals, the specifications of the services provided to pilgrims by air and land contractors, and bulletins on disease prevention, safety and risks. The website also provides pilgrims with support via online and hotline services.

The Haj Guide app

Recently, the Qatari Haj Mission launched a new “The Haj Guide” app with various features to assist all Qatari pilgrims during the pilgrimage.

It provides some important and useful instructions on everything about Hajj, interactive maps and important addresses of Qatari campaigns in Doha and the holy sites in the KSA; it also can be used for a self-service to print the Saudi Hajj permit from the app as well as the “Proof of Hajj” that is officially linked to the Department of Hajj and Umrah Qatar. It also enables pilgrims to send their coordinates if they wish to request assistance in case of emergency.

Furthermore, it also includes some hotlines that are connected with the officials to assist the pilgrims. To connect to the hotline, pilgrims can dial 8003040444 with a Qatari or Saudi SIM card free of charge.

Hajj from Qatar packages

The following is a list of accredited and approved tour providers in Qatar for Umrah and Hajj where you can book your Hajj packages:

Ansar for Hajj and Umrah

• Location: Wadi Al Qura Street, Al Maamoura, Doha – Qatar
• Tel: +974 4411 4225 | Mob: +974 7022 4045
• Timings: Saturday to Thursday: 9 am – 1 pm; 4 pm – 9 pm; Friday: closed

Bin Darwish for Hajj and Umrah

• Location: Adbul Rahman Bin Jasim Street, Al Wakrah – Qatar
• Tel: +974 4432 9090 | Mob: +974 5555 7424
• Timings: Saturday to Thursday: 9 am – 1 pm; 4 pm – 9 pm; Friday: closed

Durra Makka for Hajj and Umrah

• Location: Off Ibn Nubata, Madinat Khalifa South, Doha – Qatar
• Tel: +974 4492 9223 / +974 449224 | Mob: +974 5533 8217 / +974 7706 5655
• Timings: Saturday to Thursday: 8:30 am – 12:30 pm 4:30 pm – 9 pm, Friday: closed

Hatim Hajj and Umrah office

• Location: Apartment 16, Second Floor, Al Hail Building, Next to Al Rawnaq, Airport Commercial Street, Matar Qaadeem, Doha – Qatar
• Tel: +974 4465 1749 | Mob: +974 5544 3343
• Timings: Saturday to Thursday: 4:30 pm – 9:30 pm; Friday: closed

Nosok for Hajj and Umrah

• Location: Wholesale Market Road, Abu Hamour Doha – Qatar
• Tel: +974 4036 0770 | Mob: +974 5519 8003
• Timings: Saturday to Thursday: 8 am – 12 pm; 4 pm – 9 pm; Friday: closed

Taiba for Hajj and Umrah

• Location: Next to Qatar Post, Madinat Khalifa Street, Madinat Khalifa, Doha – Qatar
• Tel: +974 4488 4929 | Mob: +974 6675 1996
• Timings: Saturday to Thursday: 9 am – 9 pm; Friday: closed

For more information on Hajj, please contact the Department of Hajj and Umrah in Qatar via hotline 132.

You may also check our article about Hajj 2023 packages and how to obtain your Hajj permit below:

Hajj from Qatar price

It’s been reported that the prices for Hajj packages from Qatar range from QAR 32,000 to 70,000 per person. The hajj packages would typically include airfare, accommodation, food, and transport. However, we recommend consulting your preferred travel agent concerning the most recent prices and what the packages entail.