Saudi Arabia is tightening the health checks that pilgrims must pass before performing Hajj in 2027. According to the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, verified medical certificates will be mandatory, and pilgrims with certain serious health conditions will not be permitted to undertake the journey. The certificates are to be uploaded to the Nusuk portal and examined before a visa is approved for each pilgrim.

The measures build on a long-standing principle in Islamic law and in Saudi policy alike: that a pilgrim should be physically able to bear the demands of Hajj. The pilgrimage involves long hours of walking, exposure to heat and dense crowds across several days, and the authorities want to reduce the medical emergencies that such conditions can trigger.

Who may not be eligible

The health rules identify conditions that make the pilgrimage unsafe for the individual. Reported exclusions cover people with major organ failure, including kidney failure requiring dialysis, heart failure that causes symptoms during minimal physical activity, and chronic lung disease that requires oxygen support. Other listed conditions include advanced liver cirrhosis, severe neurological or psychiatric disorders, and conditions that cause major motor disability.

These criteria are about fitness to travel rather than any single test. The aim, according to the guidance, is to protect pilgrims whose health could deteriorate sharply under the physical strain of Hajj, and to spare families the distress of a medical crisis far from home. Pilgrims with chronic conditions should discuss their plans with their own doctor well in advance.

Certificates verified through Nusuk

Under the 2027 arrangements, medical certificates must serve as proof that a pilgrim has received the required vaccinations and does not have any of the illnesses listed by Saudi Arabia. Before a visa is approved, each pilgrim's certificate is uploaded to the Nusuk portal for additional examination and verification. This ties the health check directly to the visa process, rather than leaving it as a separate formality.

Vaccination remains a core requirement. Saudi Arabia continues to require that all travellers aged one year and older arriving for Hajj or Umrah show proof of a quadrivalent (ACWY) meningococcal vaccine, administered at least ten days before arrival and within the validity window for the vaccine type. Health authorities in several countries also recommend seasonal influenza and other vaccines depending on a pilgrim's circumstances.

What pilgrims should do now

The shift towards early, digital verification means health preparation can no longer be left to the final weeks. Pilgrims and the offices organising their trips need accurate records ready for upload as soon as the booking stage opens.

Practical steps to prepare:

  • See your doctor early. A medical review well before booking gives time to manage chronic conditions and to confirm you are fit to travel.
  • Get the meningococcal (ACWY) vaccine on time. It must be given at least ten days before arrival, so plan the date carefully and keep the certificate.
  • Keep documents in order. Store vaccination records and medical certificates in a form ready to upload to Nusuk, and keep copies.
  • Follow official health guidance. Consult the Saudi Ministry of Health and Nusuk health pages, and your own national travel-health service, for the current list of requirements and recommendations.
  • Be honest on your forms. Accurate health information protects you during the pilgrimage and avoids problems at the visa stage.

According to the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, the health checks are part of a broader effort to make the season safer as the Kingdom prepares for 2027. For pilgrims, the message is clear: sound health preparation is now an early and essential part of planning the journey.