Iran has resumed sending pilgrims to Saudi Arabia for Umrah after a six-month suspension, with 18,000 people scheduled to travel in the first phase of the programme. The restart was reported by Iran's official Fars News Agency, citing the country's Hajj and Pilgrimage Organisation.
Akbar Rezaei, deputy head of the organisation for Hajj and Umrah affairs, said that during the initial phase one flight will depart every five days from different provinces to Saudi Arabia. Registration for Umrah was set to begin in early Shahrivar, the sixth month of Iran's Solar Hijri calendar, which starts in late August.
A long waiting list
The first phase covers 18,000 pilgrims, a small fraction of demand. According to the organisation, about five million holders of Umrah registration vouchers are currently waiting to make the journey. The scale of the backlog underlines how far capacity falls short of the number of Iranians hoping to travel.
In earlier periods, roughly 200,000 Iranians performed Umrah in less than a year. Towards the end of the previous cycle, more than 1,300 pilgrims a day were travelling from Iran to Saudi Arabia. Returning to those levels will depend on how quickly flight and payment arrangements can be scaled up in the coming months.
Currency and flights shape the pace
Officials and analysts quoted by Iranian media said the continuation and expansion of the programme hinges on two factors: securing enough foreign currency and finalising flight arrangements. Part of the cost of Umrah is linked to foreign currency, while limits on available flights could also constrain future departures.
Economic expert Hamed Aslani said the foreign-currency costs of the pilgrimage should be calculated using the actual exchange rate, arguing that allocating cheaper currency would shift the financial burden to the government. Pilgrimage group manager Ehsan Malekzadeh took a different view, saying Hajj and Umrah should not be treated as ordinary or leisure travel and calling for the government to provide currency at an appropriate rate to keep prices from excluding some pilgrims.
Experts have proposed that Iran's central bank allocate a fixed share of the required foreign currency before each phase of departures and hold the rate for the duration of the relevant contracts. They said such a step could stop currency-market swings from being passed directly on to pilgrims through higher package prices. Some have also suggested consolidating airline and service contracts to reduce the foreign-currency cost per pilgrim and allow more departures within confirmed budgets.
A wider picture of rising demand
The Iranian backlog is part of a broader surge in Umrah demand across the Muslim world. Saudi Arabia has expanded access in recent seasons, opening Umrah to holders of various visa types, introducing a one-year multiple-entry Umrah visa and requiring bookings through the Nusuk platform. These measures aim to raise capacity, though pilgrims from every country still depend on flights, accommodation and, in Iran's case, currency arrangements being in place.
What pilgrims should keep in mind
For Iranians on the waiting list, the resumption is a welcome step, but the phased approach means most will still face a wait measured in months or longer. Prospective pilgrims are advised to keep their registration details current and follow official announcements from the Hajj and Pilgrimage Organisation for updates on timing and costs.
Because package prices are tied to exchange rates and flight availability, travellers should budget for possible fluctuations and confirm all arrangements through authorised operators. As with pilgrims from any country, verifying bookings, permits and health requirements before departure helps ensure a smooth arrival in the Kingdom. Pilgrims should also avoid unofficial brokers offering to bypass the queue, and deal only with recognised, licensed providers.