Hajj and Umrah travel planning: permits, visas, health and operators

Hajj and Umrah: two journeys, different rules

Hajj takes place at a fixed time of the Islamic year and is organised through national quotas and accredited packages. Umrah can be performed at other times and has its own permit procedures. The rites themselves are explained by qualified scholars; this page deals only with travel arrangements.

Rules for both have changed several times in recent years. Treat any dates, quotas or fees found on third-party sites as provisional until confirmed by an official body.

The Nusuk platform

Nusuk is the official platform overseen by Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Hajj and Umrah. It is used for Umrah permits, Rawdah Sharifah appointments and accredited Hajj packages, and it also offers prayer times and Qibla direction.

The Ministry's Umrah guide, published in February 2026, explains how to book a Rawdah Sharifah visit through the Nusuk app. It also covers prayer times, transport in Makkah and Madinah and maps of services around both mosques.

Visas and entry requirements

British travellers going for Hajj must obtain a separate Hajj visa, according to the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. Its guidance also covers the Umrah ETA or e-visa. Other nationalities should consult their own government's travel advice and the Saudi authorities.

Passports must usually be valid well beyond the travel dates, so check validity at the start of planning, not the end.

Health and vaccination

Hajj and Umrah pilgrims must hold a certificate of meningococcal quadrivalent vaccination, and the UK guidance confirms this. Book an appointment with a doctor or travel clinic early, as certificates are needed at the time of travel.

Crowds, heat and long walks put strain on the body. Older pilgrims and those with long-term conditions should seek medical advice about fitness, medicines and insurance before committing.

• Carry medicines in original packaging with a doctor's letter
• Arrange travel insurance that covers pilgrimage
• Practise walking long distances in comfortable shoes
• Know the nearest medical point at each site

Choosing an operator carefully

Most pilgrims travel with a package. UK consumer advice from Tower Hamlets Trading Standards recommends using ATOL-licensed operators for packages that include flights, and checking the licence with the Civil Aviation Authority. In other countries, ask which national authority licenses pilgrimage operators.

For Hajj, confirm that the package is accredited on Nusuk and that the operator can show contracts, hotel names and flight details in writing.

Compare at least three offers on the same terms: dates, hotel names, distance to the mosque, meals, transport, guide and refund policy. A lower price is only a saving if the services match, so compare like with like.

Red flags

Prices far below competitors, pressure to pay in cash, vague hotel descriptions, no written contract, or promises of a visa without the proper process. If something feels wrong, stop and check with the official authority.

National Hajj bodies

Some countries run Hajj through statutory bodies. The Haj Committee of India, for example, operates under the Ministry of Minority Affairs and publishes policy, guidelines, selection lists and circulars, including Nusuk updates.

Pilgrims from other countries should look for the equivalent organisation in their own country, because quotas, selection and deadlines are national matters.

A planning timeline

Months ahead: confirm the route to eligibility, check passports, book medical visits and compare accredited operators. Weeks ahead: confirm visa, vaccination certificate, flights and accommodation, and share your itinerary with family.

Before leaving: carry printed copies of permits and contracts, save emergency numbers, and learn the main routes between your hotel and the mosques. Keep a flexible mindset, as schedules often shift.

Plan family arrangements too. Decide who will manage finances, who has medical information and how the group will reunite if separated in a crowd. Agree a meeting point in each city and share the contact number of the group leader.

Packing and practical preparation

Pack light, breathable clothing, comfortable shoes, an unscented toiletry set where required, a small bag for documents and a refillable water bottle. Check the current guidance on permitted items with your operator or the official platform.

Keep passports, permits, vaccination certificates and contact numbers together, with photocopies and digital backups stored separately. Leave a copy of the plan with family at home.

Above all, rely on official channels for dates, fees and rules, and be wary of messages or social media offers that promise shortcuts. When in doubt, call the national authority or the embassy.