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: 4 May 2026, 5:35 PM (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.
First Iranian Hajj pilgrimage caravan gets warm welcome upon arrival in Medina IRNA English
Makkah Police Arrest Five Residents for Violating Hajj Regulations Asharq Al-Awsat | Explore World News Today
Makkah Police Arrest Five Residents for Violating Hajj Regulations وكالة الأنباء السعودية
36,996 Bangladeshi Hajj pilgrims reach Saudi Arabia, two more die daily-sun.com
Kwara begins vaccination of pilgrims ahead of 2026 Hajj Punch Newspapers
Saudi tourism minister inspects hospitality facilities for pilgrims in Makkah ahead of Hajj Arab News