Pakistan leads Umrah pilgrim numbers as 1448 season surges
Pakistan has sent the most Umrah pilgrims so far this season, ahead of Indonesia and Iraq, as Saudi Arabia records strong growth in arrivals for 1448 AH.
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Last updated: 27 Jul 2026, 6:55 PM (Saudi time)
Pakistan has sent the most Umrah pilgrims so far this season, ahead of Indonesia and Iraq, as Saudi Arabia records strong growth in arrivals for 1448 AH.
Saudi authorities have tightened the permit system for visiting the Rawdah inside the Prophet's Mosque, requiring every worshipper to book a free QR-code slot through the Nusuk app.
The Haramain High-Speed Railway links Makkah, Jeddah and Madinah at up to 300 km/h, cutting the journey between the two holy cities to little more than two hours.
King Salman is hosting 1,000 Umrah pilgrims at his own expense this year through the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques' Guests Program, with the first group of 250 from 16 countries completing their visit to Madinah and Makkah.
Saudi Arabia has made completion of a state-led training program mandatory for Hajj office staff to obtain visas and permits for the 2027 season, alongside a priority accommodation reservation window running to August 13, 2026.
Saudi Arabia's Hajj 2027 reforms introduce an integrated service model combining accommodation, transport and catering, alongside expanded biometric screening and the Nusuk Card digital ID.
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