The Saudi authorities would start issuing visas to more than 1.2 million pilgrims for the upcoming annual Hajj 2024, as the kingdom prepared for the arrival of the Muslims from around the world just before mid-May, media reports said, quoting Saudi officials,
A Saudi committee, in charge of housing the pilgrims in the holy city of Makkah, has already licensed a total of 1,860 buildings for the upcoming annual Hajj season, to accommodate an estimated 1.2 million pilgrims, according to the reports.
Expected dates for Hajj 2024:
This year’s Hajj will fall between Friday, June 14 and Wednesday, June 19, depending on the sighting of the moon. From last year, the number of pilgrims, performing Hajj had returned to pre-coronavirus pandemic levels.
Saudi Hajj Minister Tawfiq Al Rabiah said that visas would commence from March 1 and continue until the 20th of Shawwal, corresponding to April 29. He added that the arrival of pilgrims would begin on the first of Zul Qad, corresponding to May 9 2024.
Saudi Arabia has recently disclosed rules for the upcoming Hajj season and stressed early preparations. According to these rules, no specific places would be allotted any more for countries at the Saudi holy sites in the new pilgrimage season.
Al Rabiah explained that places for different countries would be designated depending on finalizing contracts. According to the minister, the number of buildings for pilgrims in Makkah was expected to eventually exceed 5,000.
Makkah Deputy Governor of Prince Saud bin Meshal has recently extended the deadline for receiving applications from landlords of such buildings for licensing them, until the end of Shawwal, corresponding to May 8.
A Hajj visa is issued specifically for performing the Hajj pilgrimage, and it is valid only during the Hajj season. In addition, it cannot be used for work or residency purposes.
Prior to last year’s Hajj pilgrimage, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah reminded pilgrims that performing Hajj with a tourist visa was not permitted.
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Meanwhile, Saudi nationals and residents are required to obtain a Hajj Permit by applying at the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah. People who wish to obtain such a visa are required to apply through travel agencies that are licensed by the Saudi authorities because Hajj visas are not issued to individuals. The Hajj 2024 Visa is issued free of charge at the Embassies or Consulates of Saudi Arabia worldwide.
