You must comply with all the following requirements:

• The applicant must have a passport valid for at least six more months and acceptable both for entry to Saudi Arabia and entry to the next destination; the passport should have at least two empty visa pages adjacent to each other.
• Each applicant must submit one recent passport size color photograph with a white background. The photograph must be a full-face view in which the visa applicant is facing the camera directly. Side or angled views are NOT accepted. (Some travel agents require two color photos, one for the visa application and the other for the group identification card).
• The applicant must submit a completed application form filled in with black ink pen or printed; the form must be signed and stamped by the authorized travel agency.
• The Mahram should write on the application forms complete information on his spouse and children or any relative with whom he is traveling. He should also provide copies of marriage or birth certificates.
• Women are required to travel for Hajj with a Mahram. Proof of kinship must be submitted with the application form. Any woman over the age of 45 may travel without a Mahram with an organized group, provided she submits a letter of no objection from her Mahram authorizing her to travel for Hajj with the named group. This letter should be notarized.
• The applicant must be in possession of a non-refundable roundtrip ticket with confirmed reservations.
• The applicant must submit proof of vaccination for meningitis and ACYW135. For infants and children up to 15 years of age, a vaccination report is required for polio as well as meningitis. Children over 15 years of age should present the same vaccinations requested for adults. The certificate of vaccination should have been issued not more than three years and not less than 10 days prior to entering Saudi Arabia.
• Each pilgrim should submit two certified checks or cashier checks payable to ‘Unified Agents Office’ in Jeddah for pilgrimage services (guides, Zamzam water agents, tent accommodation in Mina and Arafat and transportation costs). These checks should include the name and the passport number of the pilgrim and date and place of issue. Each applicant must pay the appropriate fees. Pilgrims have the option to submit one check combining both fees. Children between the ages of seven and fifteen should only pay half of the amount. Children under the age of seven do not need to pay. Please check with the Saudi Consulate in your country for correct charges.
• Applicants who are not nationals of the country they are applying from should submit documented proof of legal residence status. Passport authorities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia reserve the right to return (at his or her own expense) any pilgrim who has provided wrong or false information about their residence.
• No applicant under the legal age of eighteen will be granted a Hajj visa if not accompanied by his family.
• If the applicant has converted to Islam, an Islamic certificate must be presented which must be notarized by an Islamic Center.

Children can accompany their parents. When applying for a visa, you should include their names in your passport and attach their birth certificates. Children and women under 45 should be accompanied by a Mahram (a male relative).

There are three ways of performing the Hajj.

• Hajj al-Tamattu’
• Hajj al-Ifrad
• Hajj al-Qiran

The Hajj is physically demanding and should be undertaken only by those who are fit enough to perform the rites. The Holy Quran makes it clear that only those who are physically and financially able are under an obligation to perform Hajj.

That said, there are many disabled Muslims who wish to perform Hajj and, if adequate preparations are made, many can fulfil their wish. Below, we give some guidance but it is imperative that any disabled person thinking of performing Hajj should consult in detail with their travel agent before making any bookings.

Airport: There are facilities for the disabled at Jeddah airport. Your travel agent should ensure the airport staff are advised of your needs in advance.

Transport in the Kingdom: Buses are not equipped to handle wheel-chairs. Disabled pilgrims must ensure that they or their carers have made arrangements with private taxi firms for transportation in the Kingdom, either through your travel agent or though your service provider in the Kingdom.

Hotels: In general, hotels are not equipped for the disabled, with the exception of some of the top hotels. Again, it is crucial that you check with the hotel before booking, to explain your needs and to ensure they can be met.

Houses: Houses are not generally equipped for the disabled.

Grand Mosque in Makkah: The Grand Mosque is well-equipped for the disabled. It has escalators and ramps to enable wheelchairs to move easily from one level to another. Wheel-chairs are provided free of charge in the Grand Mosque but, if you need to ask someone to push your wheelchair, the pusher will charge for his service.

To make sure arrangements are adequate, always check with your travel agent before you set out for the Kingdom and with your service provider in the Kingdom.

In general, how can I keep safe at Jamarat?

For your own safety and that of others, please observe the following instructions when proceeding to the casting of the Jamarat:

1. Adherence to the schedules designated for you by the Mutawwif.

2. Adherence to the lanes designated for proceeding to the Jamarat and returning therefrom.

3. Avoid pushing your fellow pilgrims and proceed quietly and calmly.

4. Do not carry personal effects.

5. Do not walk against the direction of the traffic.

Booths around Makkah and Mina have been set up by the Islamic Development Bank to facilitate buying coupons for slaughtering and distributing sacrificial animals.

During Hajj, the sacrifice can be made in Mina or Makkah, after the stoning of the largest Jamarat. The sacrifice can be done by your agent on your behalf.

The types of animals which may be sacrificed are camels, cows, sheep and goats.

A sheep or goat can be sacrificed on behalf of only one person; whereas, a cow or camel can be shared by seven people.

The age of the goat or sheep should be at least one year, the cow two and the camel at least five.

It is forbidden to sacrifice sick, crippled or wounded animals.

The sacrifice should be performed on the 10th of Dhu’l-Hijjah but it is allowed to sacrifice up until the dusk of the 13th.

The pilgrim should say the following Du’aa when slaughtering the animal: “In the name of Allah and Allah is the Greatest. O Allah! This is from You and for You.” The animal should be turned on its left side facing the Kaaba, but this is not a strict rule and is recommended practice of the Prophet (peace be upon him).

The one performing the sacrifice should eat a part of the meat and a portion should be distributed to the needy and the poor. The butcher should not be given any part of the animal in lieu of his wages, as it is meant for charity.

If you are lost, there are “Pilgrim Assistance Booths” set up all over and they will help you to find your hotel, tents, etc. Make sure you have your ID card and your ID bracelet with you at all times.

If you are traveling with a group, it is advisable to agree on a well-known location/landmark to gather in case somebody gets lost.

There are many hospitals which provide free healthcare for pilgrims.  There are also some private, fee-charging hospitals.

Most over-the-counter medicine is available at pharmacies in Makkah. If you are used to a particular brand of medicine or if you take prescribed medication, it is recommended you bring adequate supplies of these.

Hajj and Umrah visitors must have certificates for the following vaccinations before entering the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia:

Meningococcal Meningitis

A certificate of vaccination against Meningococcal Meningitis is required from all visitors from all over the world arriving for the purpose of Umrah or Hajj. The certificate must have been issued not more than three years and not less than ten days before arrival to Saudi Arabia.

The responsible authorities in the country from where the visitor comes must ensure that vaccination has been carried out as follows:

• Adults and children over the age of two years must receive the vaccination against meningococcal meningitis with the quadrivalent vaccine (serogroups A,C, Y and W135).
• Children between 3 months and 2 years of age must be given two doses of the A vaccine with a 3-month interval between the two doses.

It must be ensured that all visitors from countries in the African meningitis belt have been vaccinated in their countries, not more than 3 years and not less than 10 days before arrival. This should be documented on the vaccination certificate. Visitors from these countries will be checked at entry points to ensure that they are vaccinated. Suspect cases shall be isolated and preventive measures will be taken in respect of their direct contacts. If the authenticity of the vaccination certificate is felt to be questionable, revaccination is to be carried out. Chemoprophylaxis will be administered to all visitors from these countries to lower the carrier rate among them.

Yellow Fever

All travelers arriving from countries known to be infected with yellow fever (as shown in the World Health Organization [WHO] Weekly Epidemiological Record) must present a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate in accordance with the International Health Regulations. In the absence of such a certificate, the person will be vaccinated upon arrival and placed under strict surveillance for 6 days from the day of vaccination or the last date of potential exposure to infection – whichever is earlier. Health offices available at entry points will be responsible for notifying the appropriate Director General of Health Affairs in the region about the place of residence of the visitor.

Make sure you take your vaccination certificates with you to Saudi Arabia.