Latest updates from top global and Saudi news sources
Last updated: 5 Nov 2026, 8:32 AM (Saudi time)
Egypt has introduced new 2027 tourist Hajj regulations covering digital monitoring, operator ratings, accommodation limits and bus safety, as registration closes and the electronic lottery is set for September 30.
The Pilgrim Experience Program's 2025 annual report records 19.5 million international pilgrims and Umrah performers, with high satisfaction scores and Makkah ranked among the world's top visitor cities.
Saudi Arabia's single-entry Umrah visa has given way to a permit valid for one full year that allows repeated visits, with a cumulative stay of up to 90 days.
Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Hajj and Umrah now requires a medical fitness certificate, verified through Nusuk, before a Hajj 2027 visa can be issued. The rules cover mandatory vaccinations and list health conditions that can bar clearance.
Saudia Hajj and Umrah has signed a preliminary agreement with the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah at the Fourth Umrah and Ziyarah Forum in Jeddah to integrate digital platforms and enhance pilgrim services.
Pakistan's Ministry of Religious Affairs has upgraded the Pak Hajj App for 2027, letting pilgrims switch packages, change accommodation, upload medical certificates, and request refunds online.
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Nasrullah set out for Umrah, but never reached Makkah The Daily Star
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3 Indonesians arrested in Makkah for promoting fake Hajj services Saudi Gazette