Saudi Arabia has formally opened the road to Hajj 2027 by issuing its Preparation Document for the 1448 AH pilgrimage, setting in motion registration and planning around the world. The early timeline gives national Hajj bodies and pilgrims more lead time than in many previous years.
The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah released the Preparation Document on May 29, 2026, during the annual closing ceremony for Hajj 2026 in Makkah. The document lays out the initial framework that will guide coordination with Hajj affairs offices globally ahead of the next pilgrimage.
Expected Dates for Hajj 2027
Based on astronomical calculations, the key days of Hajj 2027 are expected to fall in mid-May. The Day of Tarwiyah, the 8th of Dhul-Hijjah, is anticipated on Friday, May 14, 2027. The Day of Arafah, the 9th of Dhul-Hijjah and the spiritual peak of the pilgrimage, is expected on Saturday, May 15, 2027.
Eid al-Adha, the 10th of Dhul-Hijjah, would then fall on Sunday, May 16, 2027, followed by the Days of Tashreeq from the 11th to the 13th, expected between May 17 and 19. These dates are projections and may shift slightly depending on the sighting of the moon, as is customary.
Countries Begin Advising Pilgrims
The release of the Preparation Document has prompted national Hajj organisations to begin their own preparations. In a circular dated June 2, 2026, the Haj Committee of India confirmed that Saudi Arabia had issued the document on May 29 and said the official Hajj announcement is expected shortly.
The committee advised all intending pilgrims to keep their passports ready. It set out three specific requirements: the passport must be machine readable, it must be valid at least until December 31, 2027, and for any fresh passport application, the surname or last name must not be left blank.
The committee noted that it has not yet confirmed an exact start date for registration. In the previous cycle, online applications opened on July 8, 2025, suggesting the 2027 process is likely to begin around a similar time.
What Pilgrims Should Expect
The 2027 season will introduce several changes already announced by the Saudi Ministry. Chief among them is an integrated service model that bundles accommodation in Makkah and Madinah with transport and catering into a single, mandatory package. The Ministry is also reducing its package offerings to three categories and discontinuing the option previously known as Package D.
Together, these measures signal a more standardised and tightly coordinated pilgrimage. Pilgrims will have fewer fragmented choices but, the Ministry argues, more reliable end-to-end service.
Practical Tips for Intending Pilgrims
Anyone planning Hajj 2027 should start with their passport. Check that it is machine readable and valid well beyond the end of 2027, and renew it now if there is any doubt, since passport delays are a common reason applications stall.
Keep close watch on announcements from your national Hajj authority rather than relying on rumour, as registration windows can open with limited notice. Begin saving and budgeting early, given that the new integrated packages will cover accommodation, transport, and catering as a single cost. Finally, deal only with licensed operators and verify every detail against official Ministry guidance before paying.