First International Pilgrims Land in Saudi Arabia for Hajj 2026
First Hajj 2026 pilgrims arrived in Saudi Arabia on April 18 from Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Turkey, and Malaysia, with 3.1 million seats allocated across 12,000+ flights.
Latest updates from top global and Saudi news sources
Last updated: 15 May 2026, 2:15 AM (Saudi time)
First Hajj 2026 pilgrims arrived in Saudi Arabia on April 18 from Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Turkey, and Malaysia, with 3.1 million seats allocated across 12,000+ flights.
Saudi Arabia confirms Hajj 2026 will proceed as scheduled despite a fragile US-Iran ceasefire expiring as the first pilgrims arrive. Makkah and Madinah remain protected by advanced defence systems.
Saudi Arabia has made the Nusuk smart card mandatory for all Hajj 2026 pilgrims, combining personal, medical, and accommodation data. The Nusuk app has surpassed 51 million users with over 130 digital services.
The first international Hajj 2026 pilgrims have arrived in Saudi Arabia from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Turkey, and Malaysia, with 3.1 million seats across 12,000 flights allocated for the season.
Saudi Arabia requires all Hajj 2026 pilgrims to carry a valid quadrivalent ACYW meningitis vaccination certificate administered at least 10 days before arrival, with additional polio vaccine requirements for pilgrims from high-risk countries.
Saudi Arabia restricted entry to Makkah from 13 April 2026 to Hajj permit holders only and suspended Umrah permits from 18 April to 31 May 2026 as the Kingdom prepares for the Hajj pilgrimage beginning around 25 May.
Saudi Arabia eases Makkah entry permits for six categories during Hajj season madhyamamonline.com
Saudia commences Hajj 2026 operations with over 1 mn seats ET TravelWorld
Danantara waiting for Hajj Village land tender results ANTARA News
Iran to send pilgrims to Saudi Arabia for Hajj pilgrimage Apa.az
Man Arrested in Makkah After Posting Fake Ads for Hajj Permits on Social Media Kashmir Life
Saudi Inflation Prompts Concerns of Hajj Catering Services Tempo.co English