Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz has begun hosting 1,000 Umrah pilgrims from around the world at his personal expense, with the first phase welcoming 250 pilgrims drawn from 16 Asian countries. The initiative falls under the long-running Guests of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Program for Hajj, Umrah and Visit.

According to reporting by Saudi Gazette and Hajj Reporters, the program will run across four phases during the current 1448 AH year, with pilgrims travelling to Makkah to perform Umrah and visit the holy sites in Madinah as royal guests.

First Phase Draws Pilgrims From 16 Countries

The opening group of 250 pilgrims comes from a wide span of Asia. The 16 countries represented are Indonesia, East Timor, the Philippines, Malaysia, Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar, Laos, Singapore, China, Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Mongolia.

The Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance is managing the program. Officials said more pilgrims from other regions of the world are expected to join in the remaining three phases scheduled through the year.

Sheikh Abdullatif Al al-Sheikh, Minister of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance and general supervisor of the program, thanked King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for their continued support. He said the effort helps Muslims from across the world perform Umrah and visit the holy sites with comfort and peace of mind.

A Long-Standing Royal Initiative

The guest program is one of the Kingdom's established religious initiatives. Each year it invites Muslims from different countries, often including scholars, imams and community leaders, to perform the pilgrimage fully hosted by the state.

Al al-Sheikh said the initiative reflects the Kingdom's commitment to serving Islam and Muslims. He added that it strengthens ties among Muslim communities and supports communication with scholars and influential figures across the Islamic world.

The hosting covers travel, accommodation and organised visits, allowing invited pilgrims to focus on worship. The program sits alongside the Kingdom's broader push to expand and digitise pilgrim services, including the Nusuk platform that now handles Umrah bookings and permits for international visitors.

What It Means for Ordinary Pilgrims

The guest program covers a small, invited group and is separate from the standard Umrah route that most pilgrims use. For the vast majority, Umrah is booked independently through licensed operators and the Nusuk Umrah platform.

Still, the timing is notable. The initiative launched during the quieter post-Hajj window, when Makkah sees lighter crowds and pilgrims can move through the rituals with relative ease before numbers rise again later in the year.

Practical guidance for those planning Umrah now:

  • Book early through the official Nusuk Umrah platform or a licensed operator, and confirm hotel and transport before applying for a visa.
  • Remember that the current Umrah entry visa is valid for 30 days from issuance, so plan travel dates carefully.
  • The weeks after Hajj typically bring lower crowds in the Mataf and lower hotel prices, making this a practical time to travel.
  • Carry proof of required vaccinations, including the quadrivalent meningococcal (ACWY) vaccine, which Saudi authorities require for pilgrims.
  • Follow official Ministry of Hajj and Umrah channels for the latest permit rules for the Rawdah in Madinah and other sites.

The remaining phases of the King Salman guest program are expected to be announced through the year as pilgrims from additional regions are invited.