The Sultanate of Oman will open online registration for the Hajj 1448 AH (2027) season on September 28, 2026, the Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs has announced. Both citizens and expatriates can register their interest through the official portal at hajj.om, marking the first step in what officials describe as a season reshaped around safety, cost savings and simpler procedures.

The announcement was made at the ministry's annual press briefing in Muscat, where officials reviewed the previous season and outlined the changes coming for pilgrims next year. According to the ministry, the reforms follow a record 98 per cent pilgrim satisfaction rate recorded in the 1447 AH season.

Key registration dates

The registration window opens on September 28, with the first entitlement results due to be released on October 11, 2026, and a second round on October 21. According to the ministry, the last date to cancel an application is February 27-28, 2027, while the last date for air travel is fixed at March 14, 2027.

Officials cautioned that these dates remain subject to change by the Saudi authorities and said any adjustments would be communicated as they happen. Pilgrims are therefore urged to keep their contact details current and to monitor official channels rather than relying on unofficial sources.

Comprehensive package now mandatory

One of the most significant shifts for 1448 AH is the move to a mandatory comprehensive package. Under the new rules, all housing, transport and food services in Makkah, Madinah and the holy sites must fall under a single unified contract per company.

"Multiple separate contracts for the same company will no longer be allowed," a ministry spokesperson said. The change mirrors a wider direction across the region, as Saudi Arabia has also moved to combine accommodation, transport and catering into integrated service packages for the coming season. The aim is to reduce the fragmented arrangements that in the past led to unrealistic low prices and irregular extra payments.

Other regulatory changes include a requirement that each pilgrim group contain a minimum of 20 people, with those in smaller groups transferred to their second choice. Service staff registration will be limited to Omani citizens, and each company must appoint one official representative and one media representative.

Air transport and cost savings

The ministry confirmed the continuation of its strategic air transport contracting, an initiative it said saved 440,000 Omani rials for air pilgrims last year. The programme will be expanded for the coming season.

Taif Airport will be activated as a strategic alternative to Jeddah, a move intended to cut bus travel time inside Saudi Arabia. According to the ministry, the shift toward air travel reduced the number of pilgrims traveling by road from 5,122 to 3,034, improving health monitoring and security. In the 1447 AH season, 10,966 Omani pilgrims flew, compared with 3,034 who traveled by road.

Improvements at the holy sites

The ministry also detailed upgrades completed at the Mina and Arafat camps ahead of the next season. These include 250 additional washbasins, 75 toilets, 1,600 automatic fire sprinklers, modern lighting, new rest areas and heat-insulating roofing across 22,800 square meters in Mina.

For the 1447 AH season, in which 7,200 Omani pilgrims performed Hajj, the Oman Haj Mission reported high performance indicators: 99.9 per cent satisfaction with the electronic registration system, 98.6 per cent for Haj company services, 98.6 per cent for religious guidance, 99 per cent for health services, and 99.9 per cent for security in Mina and Arafat.

Practical tips for prospective pilgrims

  • Register early through official channels only. Use the hajj.om portal directly and avoid intermediaries who claim to guarantee places.
  • Prepare your documents in advance. Have identification ready before registration opens on September 28 to complete the process without delay.
  • Note the entitlement result dates. Check on October 11 and October 21 to see whether your application has been selected.
  • Plan around the comprehensive package. Because housing, transport and catering are now bundled under one contract, compare packages carefully and confirm exactly what is included before committing.
  • Watch for date changes. Saudi authorities may adjust deadlines, so keep monitoring official ministry updates through the season.

Pilgrims in other countries should consult their national Hajj authorities, as registration timelines, quotas and package rules vary by country even as Saudi Arabia standardizes services across the board.