Hajj Requirements
You can also find additional information in the Guide to Hajj (in 8 languages)
We also wish to indicate that Hajj visas are granted gratis to all Muslim pilgrims and is NOT VALID FOR EMPLOYMENT.
Each applicant for a Hajj visa must apply through a qualified America travel agency, which has to present the consulate with copies of “Accommodation Contacts” and a letter of the Ministry of Hajj in Saudi Arabia confirming that the travel agency has duly completed all requirements to qualify to assist pilgrims.
Applications for Hajj will not be considered if the following requirements are not complete :
- Passport— Passport or legal travel documents valid for at least six month and acceptable both for entry to Saudi Arabia and entry to next destination. Passport of legal travel documents must have a minimum of two blank pages.
- Photos— Two (2) recent passport photographs with white background size 4 cm x 6 cm. Face of applicant must cover at least 70 - 80% of the space.
- Visa Application Form ( Acrobat file, 186K ) — A completely filled application form for Hajj visas singed and stamped by the travel agency. Original or legible photocopies of the Visa Application Forms are acceptable.
- Airline ticket — Each applicant must be in possession of a non-refundable roundtrip ticket with confirmed reservations.
- Meningitis vaccination certificate— Each applicant must submit proof of vaccination against meningitis and ACYW 135. All pilgrims must carry these certificates to Saudi Arabia for inspection by the Saudi Arabian Passport Authority. Children from the age of two (2) and above must take a dose of the A/C vaccine and those between the ages three (3) months and two (2) years must take two doses of the A vaccine, which requires an interval of three months between each dose.
- Mahram— All ladies are required to travel for Hajj with a Mahram. Proof of relationship of the Mahram must be submitted. Ladies over the age of forty five (45) can travel without a Mahram with an organized group. She must, however, submit a no objection letter from her husband, son or brother, authorizing her travel for Hajj with the named group. Such letter should be notarized by a notary public. The Mahram should write his complete information on the applications of wife and children, or any other relative whom he's traveling with. Marriage and birth certificates issued outside of the US should be translated and notarized from a certified translation office.
- Bank Drafts— There is no fee for the Hajj Visa . However, each pilgrim should submit two checks payable to “Unified Agents Office” in Jeddah for pilgrimage services. Checks should include the name of the pilgrim and his/her passport number. Each visa applicant must pay the following fees :
- U.S. $158.40 for services rendered by the local tawaf agencies and for housing at the Hholy sites.
- U.S. $116 for air-conditioned transportation services or U.S. $92 for non-air-conditioned transportation services. Children between the ages of seven 7 and fifteen 15 years old pay only half of the above amount. Children under the age of seven 7 enter gratis.
- Non-U.S. Citizens — Non-U.S. citizens must submit a copy of their Green Card or other form of proof that the applicant is a legal resident of the United States . Saudi Arabian Passport Authority will return any pilgrim granted a Hajj visa from the U.S. who is not a legal resident of the United States .
- Males under the legal age will not be granted a Hajj visa if not accompanied by their family.
- No food products are allowed to be imported in the Kingdom by pilgrims.
- Last Day to enter King Abdulaziz Airport in Jeddah for the purpose of Hajj is 4 Dhu Al-Hijjah 1424H ( January 26, 2004 ).
- Last day to travel from Jeddah to Madinah by car is 26 Dhu Al-Quada, 1424H ( January 18, 2003 ), by plane is 2 Dhu Al-Hijjah, 1424H ( January 24, 2004 ).
- Last Day to travel from Madinah to Makkah by car before Hajj is 5 Dhu Al-Hijjah, 1424H ( January 27, 2004 ), and to travel from Madinah to Jeddah is 6 Dhu Al-Hijjah, 1424H ( January 28, 2004 ).
- Pilgrims are advised to carry with them to Saudi Arabia ten (10) small size (1 inch x 1 inch) photos for use with ID cards to be issued to them in Saudi Arabia .
- Pilgrims must carry with them sufficient amount of money to cover their expenses. This amount can be in the form of travelers' checks or international bank drafts.
- Upon arrival, pilgrims shall hand their passports to the custody of the “Unified Agents Office” representatives to enable the latter to complete all formalities of travel to Makkah and Madinah.
- In case a pilgrim should lose his passport, he should immediately report the loss to the office appointed upon his arrival to take care of him during the Hajj. Me must obtain a certificate from the office of the Unified Agents, in which the loss of the passport is mentioned.
- All pilgrims must leave the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia after Hajj no later than 10 Muharram, 1425H ( March 1, 2004 ). The rules and regulations of Saudi Arabia forbid any pilgrim from staying in the country after the completion of Hajj.
- Saudi Authorities will be notified about travel agencies that don't follow the rules and regulations of Hajj visa requirements and insists on presenting incomplete application packages.
