Egypt's Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities has approved the regulations governing the tourism Hajj programme for the 1448 AH / 2027 season. According to the ministry, the new rules aim to raise service standards, protect the rights of pilgrims, and safeguard the position of licensed travel companies.

The announcement sets a clear timeline for the coming season and introduces several changes designed to tighten oversight and expand the use of digital tools throughout the pilgrimage journey.

Lottery dates and legal framework

Registration for the tourism Hajj lottery will open on Friday, September 4, 2026, and continue until September 27, through licensed Egyptian travel companies via the unified Egyptian Hajj portal. Travel companies will submit their own applications to organise trips during the same period.

The public electronic draw for all tourism Hajj levels will take place, with results announced, on September 30, 2026. The ministry said the framework rests on the Hajj Organisation Law and the unified Egyptian Hajj portal established under Law No. 84 of 2022, alongside the law regulating travel companies.

Tourism and Antiquities Minister Sherif Fathy said the updated rules draw on lessons from previous seasons and place the interests of pilgrims and the quality of services at the forefront, while giving travel companies a clear and disciplined regulatory framework.

New service rating system and the Rafiq app

Among the most notable changes is the launch, for the first time, of a system to measure and evaluate the quality of services provided to tourism pilgrims. According to the ministry, the assessment will be available to pilgrims through the "Rafiq" application and rests on three weighted parts totalling 100 percent: the travel company at 50 percent, company supervisors at 30 percent, and pilgrims' general rating of services at 20 percent.

The Rafiq app, introduced last season, lets pilgrims and supervisors track key stages of the journey. These include recording departure from the Egyptian point of exit, arrival at accommodation in Makkah and Madinah, and the return to Egypt. It also allows immediate reporting of illness, deaths, and missing-person cases, strengthening direct communication between pilgrims, supervisors, and the ministry.

Accommodation, luggage and land travel

The regulations set the maximum permitted distance for pilgrim accommodation in Makkah at 4,000 metres from the Grand Mosque, in addition to areas approved in earlier seasons, while giving companies more flexibility to select approved housing. Early booking of camps in the holy sites is also encouraged to secure better locations.

New luggage rules require companies to label bags with the pilgrim's name, passport number, flight number, Makkah and Madinah hotels, and the supervisor's name and phone number. Pilgrims are advised to carry a backpack with essentials for 24 hours to limit the impact of delayed baggage.

For land Hajj programmes, buses must be no older than 2023 models, carry at least 40 passengers, pass technical inspection, and include a reserve driver. The rules prohibit tampering with GPS trackers or speed-limiting devices, and require safety equipment such as fire extinguishers, first-aid kits, and wheelchairs on board.

Practical tips for Egyptian pilgrims

  • Register within the window: Applications run only from September 4 to 27, so complete the lottery entry early through a licensed company.
  • Use the official portal: Register solely through the unified Egyptian Hajj portal and verify that your travel company is licensed.
  • Read the contract carefully: Confirm services, prices, accommodation levels, and transport are written into the agreement before paying.
  • Set up the Rafiq app: Ensure your account is created during contracting so you can track your journey and report issues.
  • Keep booking deposits documented: Retain proof of payment and the trip contract, which the app allows you to upload.

The ministry said the full regulations will be published on its central travel-company services portal and circulated to the chamber of travel companies, so pilgrims and operators can review every clause before the season begins.