Prices of all tourism Hajj programs cut from last season by between EGP 5,000 and EGP 20,000 per program
Tourism minister orders continuous monitoring of tourism companies and no leniency with those failing to meet their obligations to pilgrims
Sherif Fathy, Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, approved the rules, regulations and procedures governing tourism Hajj for 1447 AH/2026, in accordance with the provisions of Law No. 84 of 2022 regulating Hajj and Tourism Companies Law No. 38 of 1977, in a way that ensures precise organization of the upcoming Hajj season and the highest levels of excellence and quality in the services provided to tourism pilgrims. The rules are keen to raise and enhance the efficiency of the tourism Hajj system and seek to develop it in an integrated manner.
It was decided to begin receiving applications from citizens wishing to perform tourism Hajj through tourism companies starting today, Wednesday, October 15, until October 30, in light of the directives of the Minister of Tourism and Antiquities to open registration sufficiently ahead of the start of the Hajj season, allowing a greater opportunity to complete the necessary procedures and ensuring that the ministry and tourism companies are fully prepared for the season in the best way.
The date of the public electronic lottery to select pilgrims at all tourism Hajj levels and announce the results has also been set for next November 4.
For her part, Samia Samy, Assistant Minister for Tourism Companies Affairs and Head of the Higher Committee for Hajj and Umrah, explained that this year's tourism Hajj rules include many programs that take into account the diversity of social segments, with levels including 5-star, economy and overland. She added that, for the first time this year, a new Hajj program called "5 Stars Kidana Towers" has been introduced, allowing accommodation during the rituals period inside towers rather than camps.
She noted that the prices of all tourism Hajj programs have been reduced from last season by between EGP 5,000 and EGP 20,000 per program, while ensuring higher quality of the services provided to tourism pilgrims. This year, the tourism Hajj system benefits from improved hotel, air transport and land transport contracts inside Saudi Arabia, in addition to more efficient organization programs and a broader base of competition among tourism companies, which is reflected positively in the final cost of the programs without compromising the level of services provided to pilgrims.
She pointed out that the largest number of visas has been allocated to the economy and overland levels, taking into account all social segments of citizens and increasing their chances of obtaining tourism Hajj visas.
Samia Samy stressed that anyone who has previously registered in either of the lotteries of the Ministry of Interior or the Ministry of Social Solidarity will not be allowed to apply for the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities' electronic lottery, in implementation of the instructions issued by the Higher Ministerial Committee for Hajj, to ensure fairness and equal opportunities among citizens.
Among the most notable provisions of the rules for the upcoming Hajj season:
Buses transporting overland pilgrims must have modern specifications, with bus models not older than 2020, and must be equipped with GPS and a speed limiter, to ensure up-to-date models that provide a better service for pilgrims and enhance their comfort and safety, with a bus capacity not exceeding 40 passengers.
A tourism company is allowed to implement a Hajj program on its own without entering into a partnership with other companies, and in all cases the number of pilgrims must not be less than 47 at the same level.
Citizens who have obtained individual Hajj visas must go to tourism companies to have their data entered on the Unified Egyptian Hajj Portal.
In a related context, Sherif Fathy, Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, ordered continuous monitoring of tourism companies organizing Hajj and no leniency with any company proven not to comply with its obligations to tourism pilgrims under the contract concluded with them, in consideration of the interests of Egyptian pilgrims throughout the season, from departure until the return of the last Hajj flight to the homeland.
The Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities urges tourism companies organizing Hajj programs this year to comply with all the rules and procedures approved in the regulations, in light of the law regulating tourism companies and the law regulating Hajj, as the ministry will take all legal measures against violating tourism companies if they breach the stipulated rules and regulations.
The ministry also urges citizens not to be drawn in by Hajj advertisements promoted by illegitimate entities regarding the organization of Hajj programs. It stresses the need to rely only on tourism companies licensed and accredited by the ministry, as citizens can contact the ministry to verify the credibility of these companies and the programs they offer before contracting with them, out of concern for citizens' safety and rights, as dealing with unlicensed and unauthorized entities may expose citizens to fraud, in addition to potential legal risks in Saudi Arabia as a result of violating visa conditions.
The ministry noted that holders of visas that do not permit performing Hajj will not be able to obtain the ministry's support in recovering their rights, calling on everyone to exercise caution and adhere to official procedures.
The ministry stressed that ensuring citizens' safety and protecting the rights of licensed Egyptian tourism companies are at the top of its priorities, and that it is working in full coordination with the relevant authorities to ensure all parties comply with the procedures regulating the Hajj season.
Read also:
Tourism Hajj Program Prices for the 1447 AH/2026 Season: 5-Star, Economy and Overland Levels
Learn About the Tourism and Individual Hajj Rules for the 1447 AH/2026 Season
