Hajj and Umrah Planning Guide: Everything You Need to Know

Key Takeaways

• Hajj is obligatory only for Muslims who are physically and financially able; non-Muslims are strictly prohibited from entering Makkah and Madinah's haram zones — checkpoints operate on all approach roads.
• Hajj 2026 falls around late May/early June (exact dates confirmed by moon sighting); book flights and accommodation 12+ months in advance as Makkah hotel rates exceed SAR 3,000/night during peak Hajj days.
• Umrah visas (SAR 0 fee for most nationalities since 2023) can be obtained via the Nusuk app — processing takes 24–72 hours and grants a 30-day stay.
• The tawaf (circumambulation of the Kaaba) and sa'i (walking between Safa and Marwa) are mandatory rites; the enclosed Mas'a walkway is 394 m long and air-conditioned, but temperatures near the haram still reach 40 °C in summer — carry a 500 ml water bottle minimum.
• Ihram clothing (two white unstitched cloths for men, modest full-cover for women) must be worn before crossing the miqat boundary — the Madinah miqat is Dhul Hulayfah, approximately 9 km from Masjid al-Nabawi.