Three years after the coronavirus prompted an international travel ban, Saudi Arabia has finally removed limitations on the quantity and age limit of Hajj pilgrims for this time.
Tawfiq Al Rabiah, the Saudi minister responsible for Umrah and Hajj, confirmed the report and said there will be no age restriction on the number of pilgrims.
In 2019, almost 2.5 million individuals completed the Hajj, however because of COVID-19, only 900,000 people, including 780,000 foreigners, participated in the religious journey in 2022. In addition, the maximum age was established at 65, and both a negative PCR test and a required coronavirus vaccination certificate were requirements.
Domestic pilgrims can pay 20% of the total as the first installment within 72 hours after booking a seat, according to a tweet from the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah. By 7 Rajab 1444 AH, the second installment, which accounts for 40% of the whole cost, is due (29 January 2023).
The third and final payment is due on Shawwal 10, 1444 H (April 30, 2023), which is less than two months before the Hajj season gets underway at the end of this year’s June. Applying can be done via the ministry’s website or the Nusuk portal for domestic pilgrims, including foreigners living in the country.
