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Updated April 2024

Many pilgrims worldwide are looking forward to the Hajj, as the next peak season will return this year. The Saudi government has announced the lifting of the restrictions on Hajj pilgrim numbers, which means that in terms of volume, this year’s Hajj has returned to pre-pandemic levels.

Below, Wego has gathered information concerning the Hajj permit. Read further to know more.

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Hajj 2024 news & updates

According to a new rule issued by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, the permit to perform Umrah will now be valid for three months from the date of issuance. Additionally, it has been announced that Umrah can only be performed once during the month of Ramadan, and repetition will not be allowed. These changes in the rule are part of a strategy to better manage the crowd during the Hajj season. Pilgrims who enter Saudi Arabia using an Umrah visa are urged to leave the country before the permit expires.
For citizens and Muslim foreign residents of Saudi Arabia, the government has started issuing permits for domestic Hajj from 24 April 2024. More information about the Local Hajj can be found by exploring our dedicated article on this topic.

Local Hajj 2024: All You Need to Know About This Year’s Hajj for Saudi Citizens and Residents

What is a Hajj permit?

A Hajj permit is a document issued by the government of Saudi Arabia that allows pilgrims to perform the Hajj in the holy sites. The permit is typically required for all non-Saudi Arabian citizens and is only issued to individuals who meet certain criteria.

Anyone attempting to perform the Hajj without a permit will face a fine of USD 13,331 or SAR 50,000. Additionally, violators may face deportation and be banned from future travel to Saudi Arabia.

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All pilgrims can obtain their Hajj permit through the Absher portal with these easy steps below:

go to the Absher portal
log in to the service
enter your civil registration number and date of birth, and select ‘Issuing Hajj Permits’
if everything is in order, you will have the option of downloading and printing your Hajj permit

There have also been talks of the Saudi authorities utilizing the Nusuk app to issue Hajj permits. However, nothing official has so far been confirmed.