Qatar has opened registration for the 2027 Hajj season, with the Department of Hajj and Umrah Affairs at the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs allocating 4,400 places and setting a one-month application window. According to The Peninsula, registration opened at midnight on Sunday, September 20, and runs until October 20, 2026, through the official portal at hajj.gov.qa. The move places Qatar among a growing list of countries opening their doors for the next pilgrimage.

Who Can Apply

Eligibility differs between citizens and residents. Qatari citizens must be at least 18 years old and may add up to three companions on a single application. Residents and citizens of other Gulf Cooperation Council states face stricter conditions.

According to The Peninsula, residents and GCC nationals must be at least 45 years old, must not have performed Hajj before, and may bring only one companion. They must also have maintained continuous residence in Qatar for 15 years or more. These conditions are designed to prioritise first-time pilgrims and long-term residents within a limited quota.

Every applicant, regardless of status, must meet two further requirements. First, a mandatory health fitness certificate issued by Qatar health centres. Second, an advance payment of QAR 10,000 to complete contracting with approved Hajj campaigns.

How Selection Works

Registration alone does not guarantee a place. The Department of Hajj and Umrah Affairs will begin electronic screening immediately after the window closes on October 20. Successful applicants will receive acceptance notifications by SMS from late October, according to The Peninsula.

The ministry has published a hotline, 132, for inquiries and complaints during the registration period. Officials have urged applicants to use only the official channel at hajj.gov.qa and to complete every step before the deadline, since late or incomplete applications risk being excluded from screening.

Part of a Wider 2027 Registration Wave

Qatar is not acting alone. Across the region, national authorities have opened or closed their 2027 Hajj registration in recent weeks. Oman began registration on September 28, while the United Arab Emirates ran its window from September 14 to 25. Bahrain, Pakistan, Bangladesh and others have also moved early.

The early timing reflects Saudi Arabia's own push to finalise arrangements well ahead of the season. The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has introduced a comprehensive electronic package for Hajj affairs offices and agencies, and has made a medical fitness certificate mandatory for pilgrims travelling in 2027. Qatar's health certificate requirement aligns with that direction.

A Limited Quota and High Demand

At 4,400 places, Qatar's allocation is modest compared with the largest quotas granted to countries such as Indonesia, Pakistan and India, which each run into the tens or hundreds of thousands. The figure broadly reflects Qatar's smaller Muslim population under the allocation framework used to distribute Hajj places across the world.

Because places are limited and interest is high, the one-month window is expected to draw far more applicants than can be accommodated. The requirement that residents have lived in Qatar for at least 15 years, together with the age thresholds and first-time-pilgrim rule, helps the ministry narrow the field and prioritise those who have waited longest. Applicants who miss this cycle will generally have to wait for the next season's registration.

Practical Tips for Applicants

Given the fixed one-month window and the electronic screening that follows, pilgrims in Qatar should act without delay. The following steps can help:

  • Register early. The window closes on October 20, and completing the application sooner leaves room to fix any errors before screening begins.
  • Obtain the health fitness certificate promptly. Book an appointment at a Qatar health centre early, as certificates are required before an application can be processed.
  • Prepare the payment. Keep the QAR 10,000 advance ready to complete contracting with an approved campaign.
  • Check eligibility carefully. Residents should confirm the 15-year residence and age conditions before applying.
  • Use official channels only. Apply through hajj.gov.qa and direct questions to the 132 hotline rather than unofficial agents.
  • Watch for the SMS. Acceptance notifications are expected from late October, so keep the registered phone number active.

With demand for Hajj places consistently outstripping quotas, early and accurate registration remains the single most important step for pilgrims hoping to travel in 2027.