Hajj

Last Updated
Wednesday, 29/05/2024
""

اقرأ هذه الصفحة باللغة العربية

This page is for Australian travellers planning to perform Hajj, the annual Islamic pilgrimage to Makkah (Mecca).

Read this page along with our travel advice for Saudi Arabia.

Read this page to learn about:

Hajj 2024

You must register on the Nusuk Hajj online platform to perform Hajj in 2024. This is the only platform the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has approved to provide Hajj services for 2024 (1445H).

Registering does not mean you'll be accepted for Hajj. Reservations are on a first-come, first-served basis. You can only get a reservation after you pay through the Nusuk portal. Check the portal and subscribe to the Nusuk newsletter to follow up on reservation times, package details and payment options when they become available.

Pilgrims under 12 can't take part in Hajj 2024 (1445H).

Australian Muslims living in Saudi Arabia can do the Hajj once every 5 years. You must get a Hajj permit through the Nusuk portal in advance.

Smart Phone Apps

The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah made the Nusuk app to help people planning to perform Hajj or Umrah. Get the Nusuk app:

Safety and security

Overcrowding

Authorities expect around one million pilgrims to perform Hajj this year. Plan for overcrowding at religious sites.

Crowd crushes are common, often at places where space for the crowd narrows.

  • Look ahead of you and check for crowd noise.
  • If you're caught in a crowd surge, keep moving and shift sideways from time to time.

Authorities limit the use of vehicles around Hajj. Follow their instructions.

Stampedes have happened, so ensure you follow road safety rules and don't walk against the direction of the traffic.

Know the nearest emergency exits and evacuation routes to your accommodation.

Read the Pilgrimage Safety Instructions and Hajj Awareness from the Saudi General Directorate of Civil Defense.

Terrorism

Terrorism is a significant threat in Saudi Arabia. An attack can occur at any time. Terrorists have targeted religious sites in the past. In 2017, Saudi Security Forces disrupted an attempted suicide attack on the Grand Mosque in Makkah.

See our travel advice for Saudi Arabia for more information.

Contact your family and friends in an emergency to let them know you're safe.

Personal identification

Keep your passport and other identification in a safe and secure place. It's standard practice for group leaders to take pilgrims' passports to keep them safe.

Follow the instructions of your Nusuk group leader.

Always carry contact information for your hotel, family members, Nusuk and group leader. Share this information with your family back home. Confirm your full itinerary and travel inclusions before arriving.

Ensure your family has your group leader's contact details so they can contact the Nusuk team and locate you quickly in an emergency.

Taking care of your health

Temperatures during the Hajj season are likely to be extremely hot. June to August are the hottest months of the year. The temperature can be over 50 degrees Celsius. Humidity can also be high.

  • Try to stay out of the sun.
  • Wear light-weight, long-sleeved clothing, including a hat and sunglasses where possible.
  • Use SPF30-50+ sunscreen on exposed skin.
  • Drink water to avoid dehydration.

Sandstorms and dust storms are common. These can cause breathing and sight problems. During sandstorms and dust storms:

  • take shelter
  • protect your airways with a dust mask, scarf or fabric.

Avoid insect bites to reduce your risk of getting a mosquito-borne disease. Read our advice about preventing insect-borne illness.

Because of the large number of pilgrims, illnesses are common. Make sure you have travel insurance that covers you for illness. Follow the health tips for Hajj from the Saudi Ministry of Health.

Required vaccinations

The Saudi authorities require certain vaccinations for Hajj. You must get all the vaccinations to attend. 

Carry your vaccination certificates with you in case authorities ask to see them.

Ask your doctor or travel clinic if you have any questions.

Visit the Nusuk portal for more about the health requirements for travellers to Saudi Arabia for Hajj (Ministry of Health وزارة الحج والعمرة).

Seasonal influenza and Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus

Seasonal influenza and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) are risks.

Get your seasonal influenza vaccine before you travel to Saudi Arabia.

While there, avoid direct contact with people who are unwell. Avoid close contact with animals, particularly camels.

Talk to a doctor if you feel unwell.

Read our advice about preventing infectious diseases.

Medication and medical devices

You must report any medicine or medical devices you're carrying when you enter and leave.

Bring enough medicine for the length of your trip. Carry the original prescription and a doctor's certificate explaining:

  • what the medicine is
  • why you need it.

Check your medicine or medical device is legal in Saudi Arabia. You can check with your nearest Saudi Embassy or Consulate or the Saudi Food and Drug Authority.

Don't give your medicine to another pilgrim or organiser.

Read our advice about travelling with medicine and medical devices.

Saudi health warning

If you have a chronic disease, talk to your doctor to ensure you're healthy enough to perform Hajj. If you have diabetes, ask your doctor about adjusting your medication during the Hajj period. Carry your blood sugar monitor with you. See more information about health precautions during Hajj (Ministry of Hajj).

Think about your physical ability to perform Hajj. Extreme heat and humidity are likely. Health risks might increase in large crowds. See your doctor before travelling.

If you have a disability, be prepared for accessibility standards to be different to those in Australia.

Laws and customs

You're subject to all local laws and penalties, including those that seem harsh by Australian standards. Authorities may stop you from leaving the country until issues are resolved.

It's against the law to:

  • hold unauthorised gatherings and group prayers
  • raise voices
  • perform rituals of worship not practised in Saudi Arabia
  • produce or distribute printed or electronic material unless the Ministry of Culture and Information has authorised it
  • blaspheme, or say something that others could interpret as blasphemy
  • protest
  • criticise Saudi Arabia, its leadership, policies or the Saudi royal family, including verbally or on social media.

If you're suspected of breaking these rules, you could be sentenced to long jail terms or deported.

Avoid protests as they may turn violent. If you're found near one, you may be detained.

Obey signs restricting photos and videos.

Dual nationals

Dual nationals must enter and leave Saudi Arabia on the same passport.

The Saudi Government doesn't recognise dual nationality. Immigration authorities may seize second passports if found.

The Australian Government can't provide consular help if you don't enter on your Australian passport.

Entry and exit to Saudi Arabia

You'll need:

  • a valid passport with more than 6 months of validity left after you plan to leave Saudi Arabia
  • a Hajj visa, or a Hajj permit if you're a resident of Saudi Arabia
  • proof of mandatory immunisations.

You must declare any currency or precious metals valued at SAR 60,000 (USD 16,000) or more per family or group. You can do this on the Saudi Customs Declaration for Travellers.

Visas

Foreign pilgrims must get a Hajj visa in advance. If you hold a valid Saudi Residence Permit, you must get a Hajj permit in advance. You can't perform Hajj on a tourist visa or other types of visas. Make sure you follow your visa conditions. You can apply for a visa through the Nusuk Hajj portal.

  • If you overstay your Hajj visa, you may face a fine, be jailed or be deported. You may also be banned from going to Saudi Arabia in the future.
  • You can't work on a Hajj visa.
  • A Hajj visa may restrict entering cities other than Jeddah, Makkah and Madinah. Check your Hajj visa conditions.
  • Saudi Arabia uses the Islamic calendar for all official matters. Make sure you know when your visa expires.

The Australian Embassy can't intervene in immigration or visa matters.

For information about Hajj processes and rules, contact Nusuk's 24/7 support team:

Other official channels are available on the Nusuk website.

For more information, contact the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah or visit their website.

Exit requirements

Before leaving Saudi Arabia, find out and follow all baggage restrictions, including for Zamzam water.

Transport

To get to Makkah, you can:

  • fly to Jeddah, in Makkah province
  • fly to Madinah and travel to Makkah by road.

There is no option to fly to Makkah.

When you get to Saudi Arabia, you'll go through several procedures at the airport before you leave for Makkah or Madinah.

Saudi authorities may only let pilgrims leave the dedicated Hajj terminal.

At the airport:

  • Expect long delays in hot and humid conditions when you arrive and leave. Airport formalities can take many hours.
  • It can take several hours to clear customs and immigration due to the large number of pilgrims. Take food and water with you.
  • If you only have carry-on bags, you'll find baggage transfer at the airport much easier than with checked baggage.

Between Ritual Sites:

  • The Saudi authorities apply strict schedules for all travel (bus, train, and foot) between the ritual sites. Expect long delays on all routes and modes of transport.
  • Expect tighter security, increased traffic and congestion at transport hubs.
  • Trains are typically overcrowded. You may have to wait several hours on crowded platforms at the train stations at Arafat and Muzdalifah before being able to board a train.
  • You can use maps and mobile apps to navigate the Hajj ritual sites, which extend from the Grand Mosque (Al-Masjid al-Haram) to Arafat.

Find advice on transport to Hajj sites on the Nusuk Hajj website.

Where to get help

Depending on your issue, your best option may be to contact Nusuk Hajj or your family, friends, airline or travel insurer. Your travel insurer should have a 24-hour emergency number.

Nusuk Hajj

To answer your queries and help with emergencies before you arrive in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Nusuk Hajj is available 24/7 on:

For queries and help with emergencies after you arrive in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah is available 24/7 on:

Emergency phone numbers

  • Ambulance: 997
  • Police: 999
  • Traffic accidents: 993
  • Unified number for Emergency Services Centre: 911
  • Saudi Arabia Directory Enquiries: 905

The number of pilgrims using these phone services can result in long delays.

Hospitals in Makkah

Heraa General Hospital, Makkah

  • Phone: +966 (0) 12 520 3535
  • Emergency: extension 4441 / 4449 / 4438 / 4442
  • Admittance: extension 4170

Ajiad Hospital, Makkah

  • Phone: +966 (0) 12 573 0070
  • Emergency: extension 114
  • Admittance: extension 104
  • ICU: extension 121

King Faisal Hospital, Makkah

  • Phone: +966 (0) 12 526 3200

Al Nour Hospital, Makkah

  • Phone: +966 (0) 12 566 5000
  • Admittance: extension 7
  • Patient information: extension 4

King Abdul Aziz Hospital, Makkah

  • Phone: +966 (0) 12 544 2400
  • Emergency (males): extension 1158 / 1156
  • Emergency (females): extension 1155
  • Admittance and information: extension 1167

Lost or stolen passport

If your passport is lost or stolen:

To replace a lost or stolen passport, complete an application form and provide original photographs to the Australian Embassy in Riyadh. You may need to travel to the Embassy.

Local authorities may need to approve your travel to Riyadh without a passport. The Australian Embassy in Riyadh can't help you get this approval.

Your new travel document may take a few days to be issued. Keep your group leader informed during the process. You may need to change your itinerary, Hajj visa and other arrangements, including your accommodation.

Consular assistance

Read the Consular Services Charter for what the Australian Government can and can't do to help you overseas.

In Saudi Arabia, you can get consular help from:

Australian Embassy in Riyadh 
Diplomatic Quarter 
Riyadh 
KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA 
Phone: +966 11 250 0900 
Fax: +966 11 250 0902
Email: consular.riyadh@dfat.gov.au 
Website: saudiarabia.embassy.gov.au 
X: @AusAmbKSA 
Facebook: www.facebook.com/AusEmbKSA/

If you can't reach the Embassy in a consular emergency, contact the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on

  • +61 2 6261 3305
  • 1300 555 135 in Australia.

The Australian Government can't get involved in any disputes with Hajj service providers. This includes refund requests and complaints about services provided.

Read more

See also

Related content

Major cultural events
View details
Major sporting events
View details
Ramadan

Ramadan is the most important month on the Islamic calendar. Explore this page to learn local laws and customs during Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr, after Ramadan.

View details