Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has made a medical fitness examination compulsory for every pilgrim intending to perform Hajj in 2027 (1448 AH). According to reports circulated in early September 2026, no Hajj visa will be issued until the pilgrim has obtained a Health Clearance Certificate processed through the official Nusuk Masar platform.
The requirement is designed to ensure that pilgrims can safely handle the physical demands of the rites, which are performed in intense heat and among very large crowds. Authorities have framed the measure as a step to protect both the individual pilgrim and public health across the wider pilgrimage.
What pilgrims must submit
Under the new rule, pilgrims must complete a medical fitness examination that, in some countries, is carried out in two stages. The assessment is reported to include a clinical examination, blood tests, a chest X-ray, an electrocardiogram (ECG) and a mobility assessment.
The results feed into a Health Clearance Certificate, which is then processed through the Nusuk Masar platform. This certificate is a prerequisite for visa issuance, and Saudi authorities may verify it again at points of entry into the Kingdom.
Vaccination requirements remain separate and are not replaced by the new clearance process. The quadrivalent meningococcal ACWY vaccine, along with other inoculations specified for the season, continues to be required in its own right. Pilgrims should treat the medical certificate and the vaccination record as two distinct obligations.
Conditions that may disqualify a pilgrim
Guidance attributed to the Ministry lists a number of health conditions that can prevent a pilgrim from being cleared for Hajj 2027. These reportedly include major organ failure, such as dialysis-dependent kidney failure or heart failure that produces symptoms on minimal exertion. Chronic lung disease requiring oxygen is also cited.
Other listed conditions include severe neurological or psychiatric disorders that affect cognition or cause significant motor disability, advanced age combined with dementia, and high-risk or late-term pregnancy. Active cancer under chemotherapy or intensive immunosuppressive treatment, and active infectious diseases that pose a public health risk such as open pulmonary tuberculosis, are also understood to be disqualifying.
The guidance indicates that pilgrims should generally be able to perform the rites independently. Walking sticks for light support may be permitted, but full dependence on a wheelchair or scooter is reported to be unacceptable in most cases.
How the process differs by country
The mandate is being implemented through national Hajj committees and Pilgrims' Affairs Offices, so the exact steps, screening programmes and deadlines vary from one country to another. Pilgrims are advised to follow instructions issued by their own national Hajj authority and the official Nusuk Masar process rather than relying on unofficial reports circulating on social media.
This latest requirement fits a broader pattern of tighter, digitally-managed controls for the pilgrimage. The Nusuk system has already become mandatory for bookings, permits and entry to the holy sites, and health screening now sits alongside it as a gateway to a Hajj visa.
Practical tips for prospective pilgrims
Those planning to perform Hajj in 2027 should begin the medical process early, as examinations carried out in two stages can take several weeks to complete. Book the fitness assessment through the channel approved by your national Hajj committee, and keep both the clearance certificate and vaccination records ready for verification.
Pilgrims with chronic conditions should consult their doctor well in advance to understand whether their situation is likely to be cleared, and to manage treatment before travel. Finally, verify every instruction against official Ministry and Nusuk Masar sources, and be wary of any agent promising to bypass the medical requirement, as no visa can be issued without a valid clearance certificate.