The Haj Committee of India has formally opened the preliminary phase of the 2027 Hajj, issuing an advisory that urges prospective pilgrims to get their travel documents in order. The move follows the handover of the 1448 AH Hajj planning documents from the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, and signals that the administrative cycle for the next pilgrimage has begun.

According to Hajj Reporters, the Committee received the Hajj 2027 preparation documentation on 29 May 2026 and is now gearing up to launch the official registration process. The exact dates for the opening of online applications have not yet been announced.

What the advisory requires

In its advisory released on 2 June 2026, the Haj Committee of India set out several requirements for those intending to perform the pilgrimage:

  • Passport readiness: Pilgrims should hold a valid, machine-readable passport.
  • Validity period: Passports must remain valid at least until 31 December 2027.
  • Surname field: Applicants seeking a fresh passport must ensure the "Surname" or "Last Name" field is not left blank, as this is a strict requirement for visa processing.

The Committee urged applicants to rely only on its official portal for circulars and updates, and to avoid unverified sources or social media forwards about registration deadlines.

Part of a wider 2027 timetable

India's move fits into a regional pattern. Saudi Arabia announced the Hajj 2027 schedule at a ceremony in Jeddah in late May and handed it to the religious affairs ministries of participating countries. Under that calendar, Hajj visa issuance is set to begin on 28 January 2027, with Hajj flight operations scheduled to start on 8 April 2027.

Several other countries have already moved. Pakistan said it would open mandatory registration for 2027 in June 2026, Bangladesh set a 26 September 2026 registration deadline, and Indonesia has begun early cost planning. India's advisory places it alongside these early movers.

A new service model ahead

The 2027 cycle will also introduce Saudi Arabia's integrated service model, which consolidates accommodation in Makkah and Madinah, transportation, and catering into a single unified package. The reform is intended to simplify logistics for international pilgrims, though it comes with the discontinuation of the older Package D and a restructuring of offerings into three tiers.

For Indian pilgrims, this means the shape of the 2027 package, and its cost, will differ from previous years. National authorities are expected to publish details once contracting with Saudi providers is complete.

What prospective pilgrims should do now

Several practical steps follow from the advisory. Check your passport today and renew it if it expires before 31 December 2027, since renewals can take weeks. Confirm that your name fields, especially the surname, are correctly filled. Monitor the official Haj Committee of India website rather than informal channels for the application window. And begin physical and financial planning early, as the pilgrimage is demanding and the integrated 2027 package may carry revised costs.