Hajj 2023: Saudi Arabia Lifts Restrictions For Pilgrims This Year. Know What Has Changed

Saudi Arabia has announced lifting a number of restrictions on Hajj pilgrims this year including no limit on the number of pilgrims that may lead to a significant rise in visitors.

Pilgrims performing the Hajj pilgrimage during the Eid Al-Adha in Mecca, Saudi Arabia on July 11, 2022.

Saudi Arabia announced lifting a number of restrictions on Hajj pilgrims, implemented due to covid-19, this year which may lead to a significant rise in the number of annual visitors. Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dr Tawfiq Al-Rabiah on Monday said there will be no limit on the number of pilgrims for this year and the age restrictions for pilgrims have also been removed for the upcoming year.

“Number of Hajj pilgrims in 1444H will return to how it was before the Coronavirus pandemic without age restrictions," the Ministry's official Twitter quoted him as saying during the opening of Hajj Expo 2023.

During the opening of #Hajj_Expo 2023, H.E. Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dr. Tawfiq AlRabiah announces:

“Number of Hajj pilgrims in 1444H will return to how it was before the Coronavirus pandemic without age restrictions.”#Makkah_and_Madinah_Eagerly_Await_You pic.twitter.com/IZaPNqapIV

— Ministry of Hajj and Umrah (@MoHU_En) January 9, 2023

While approximately 2.5 million people are believed to have made the pilgrimage in 2019, according to the Arab News, numbers have been significantly lower in the past two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

In 2022, Saudi Arabia restricted entry to foreign pilgrims between the ages of 18 and 65. Travellers were then required to be fully vaccinated or immunised against COVID-19, and not suffering from chronic illness.

On January 5, Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah announced for its citizens wanting to perform Hajj this year can apply for pilgrimage, as per an Arab News report.

The ministry said that there would be four categories of Hajj packages available for local residents. The people applying for pilgrimage must have national or resident identity valid until the middle of July, as per the report.

Pilgrims are required to have proof of COVID-19 and seasonal influenza vaccination. In addition, they need to obtain a vaccination certificate for the ACYW quadruple meningitis vaccine at least 10 days prior to arriving at the holy sites.

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah called on all applicants to register directly through its website and not to make use of the same mobile number for more than one application.

The Hajj pilgrimage is one of five pillars of Islam which is undertaken at least once by all Muslims who have the means.