Latest updates from top global and Saudi news sources
Last updated: 15 Jun 2026, 7:10 PM (Saudi time)
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 has imposed fines of up to SAR 100,000 for facilitating unauthorised Hajj and up to SAR 20,000 for pilgrims performing Hajj without a permit, alongside 10-year re-entry bans for violators.
Over 1.5 million international pilgrims arrive in Saudi Arabia for Hajj 2026 despite regional tensions İlke Haber Ajansı
Saudi Arabia Hajj | College Sports | bdtonline.com Bluefield Daily Telegraph
Egypt Joins Iran, Turkey, UAE, India, Malaysia, Indonesia, Nigeria and Others to Drive Hajj Tourism Boom in Saudi Arabia with More than One Million Pilgrims Amid Escalating Middle East Crisis, Geopolitical Threats and Major Travel Disruptions Travel And Tour World
Saudi forces activate full-scale Hajj readiness across holy sites Gulf News
13 persons arrested for attempting to enter Makkah illegally and Hajj fraud Saudi Gazette
Hajj 2026 weather: High of 44ºC in Makkah holy sites starting Day of Arafah Khaleej Times