Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud has approved the hosting of 1,000 Umrah pilgrims from around the world as royal guests, with all travel and living costs covered at the King's personal expense. The pilgrims will perform Umrah under the Guests of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Program for Hajj, Umrah, and Visit during the 1448 AH year.
According to Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance, which oversees the program, the initiative will be carried out in four phases over the course of the year. The first phase will welcome 250 pilgrims drawn from 16 Asian countries, before the program extends to guests from a total of 66 nations.
Who Will Be Hosted in the First Phase
The opening phase brings pilgrims from across Asia to perform Umrah and visit the holy sites. The participating countries in this stage include Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos, Singapore, Timor-Leste, China, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Mongolia.
The royal hospitality covers every part of the journey. According to the ministry, the program funds pilgrims' travel, accommodation, transportation, and other logistical arrangements, allowing guests to perform Umrah and visit Makkah and Madinah without financial burden. The aim is to enable worshippers to focus entirely on their acts of worship with ease and peace of mind.
A Long-Running Program of Religious Outreach
The Guests of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Program is one of Saudi Arabia's most prominent religious initiatives. Since its launch, it has hosted guests from more than 140 countries, providing comprehensive services that begin in the pilgrims' home countries and continue until their return after completing Umrah or Hajj.
Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance and General Supervisor of the program, Sheikh Abdullatif Al-Sheikh, thanked King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for their continued support of Islam and Muslims worldwide. He said the initiative reflects the Kingdom's commitment to serving the faith, strengthening bonds of brotherhood among Muslim communities, and building closer ties with scholars, religious leaders, and influential figures across the Islamic world.
The announcement comes as Saudi Arabia opens the 1448 AH Umrah season. The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah resumed visa issuance and pilgrim arrivals at the end of May, with international worshippers now traveling to the Kingdom for the new season. The royal guest program adds a charitable dimension to the season's opening, extending the opportunity of Umrah to those who might otherwise be unable to make the journey.
What the Program Means for the Wider Muslim World
Programs of this kind carry significance well beyond the individuals selected. By hosting scholars, imams, and community figures from dozens of countries, the initiative helps spread accurate knowledge of the rites of Umrah and Hajj when these guests return home. Many will go on to guide and teach others in their own communities, multiplying the benefit of the visit.
The program also reflects a long tradition of facilitating pilgrimage for Muslims of limited means. Helping a fellow believer reach the Sacred House is among the most valued forms of charity, and the King's sponsorship of these pilgrims sits within that tradition of service to the guests of Allah.
Practical Notes for Prospective Pilgrims
Most pilgrims will not be selected as royal guests, since participation is by official nomination through the program and the relevant authorities in each country, not by open application. Worshippers hoping to perform Umrah this season should instead plan through the standard route. This means securing an Umrah visa, confirming hotel and transport bookings, and obtaining the required permit through the official Nusuk application before arriving in Makkah.
Pilgrims should also ensure they meet the season's health and entry requirements and apply close to their intended travel dates, as Umrah entry visas now expire 30 days after issuance if the holder has not entered the Kingdom. Those who are able should remember the spirit behind the royal program in their own conduct, by helping fellow pilgrims, showing patience in crowded places, and treating every guest of the Sacred House with kindness.