Latest updates from top global and Saudi news sources
Last updated: 21 Sep 2026, 11:04 AM (Saudi time)
Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has cut the Umrah entry visa validity to 30 days, made confirmed Nusuk hotel and transport bookings a precondition for a visa, and confirmed all visa types can perform Umrah for the 1448 AH season.
At the Indonesia-Saudi Arabia Partnership Forum 2026, Indonesian officials outlined plans to supply the global Hajj and Umrah food chain with halal agriculture, fisheries, livestock and processed goods.
Senegal's private Hajj operators have urged immediate planning for the 2027 pilgrimage, spelling out firm Saudi deadlines: fee payment by December 24, 2026, registration by January 28, 2027, and no visas after March 9, 2027.
Pakistan has allocated 40 percent of its Hajj quota to private operators for 2027 and set a 300 million rupee paid-up capital rule, as companies warn of uncertainty before an August 14 Saudi payment deadline.
Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has published its 1447 AH Hajj service provider evaluation, ranking foreign pilgrim companies into three performance tiers based on compliance and service quality.
Egypt's Ministry of Interior will accept applications for the 2027 Hajj lottery (Hajj al-Qura) from 12 to 27 August 2026, opening domestic registration for the 1448 AH season.