Hajj Fact Sheet

The Hajj is the annual pilgrimage to Makkah (Mecca), Saudi Arabia, and the largest mass gathering in the world. If you are an American Citizen planning a trip to the Hajj, there are a number of ways you can prepare to have a safe trip.

Travel Requirements

All Hajj (and Umrah) travel plans must be made only through a Saudi government-approved travel agent in order to obtain entry, accommodation, and transportation in Saudi Arabia during the Hajj season. See the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia web site and the Saudi Hajj Ministry web site for further information, including a list of approved travel agencies. Please carefully select a reputable travel agent and ensure that you are guaranteed accommodation and transportation, in addition to an entry visa. Pilgrims who arrive in Saudi Arabia with no accommodation or transportation arrangements may face difficulties with Saudi immigration. The U.S. Embassy and our Consulates General in Jeddah and Dhahran are unable to help in these situations.

Foreign Muslim residents of Saudi Arabia may perform the Hajj once every five years. Advance approval must be obtained from an immigration office with the approval of the Saudi sponsor. U.S. citizen residents of Saudi Arabia must travel with Saudi-government-approved sponsor groups to perform Hajj.

Before you travel, make two copies of your travel documents (e.g. U.S. passports, green cards), including the pages stamped with Saudi visas, and keep one at home and another in a secure location during the trip. Always keep with you updated contact information for your U.S. travel agent, their Saudi representatives, your travel group, hotel, and other emergency contacts.

Hajj and Umrah visas are valid for travel only in the vicinities of Jeddah, Makkah and Madinah, and for travel between these cities. Unapproved travel outside of these areas may cause pilgrims problems with Saudi authorities.

Non-Muslims are forbidden to travel to the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah. All pilgrims must leave Saudi Arabia after Hajj no later than the 10th of Muharram of each year (this year approximately November 24, 2012). The rules and regulations of Saudi Arabia forbid any pilgrims from staying in the country after the completion of Hajj. Umrah pilgrims must comply with length of stay regulations, as well. You may be given additional information by the travel agent should the Saudi government revise their requirements (e.g. requiring pilgrims to depart earlier than the 10th of Muharram). Travelers must comply with Saudi government travel regulations.

A recent statement from the Saudi Hajj Ministry reiterated the long-standing requirement for women below the age of 45 to be accompanied by a “mahram” (e.g. close adult, male relative such as a husband, son, father or brother) for Hajj. Travelers found violating this Saudi Government rule may face deportation by local immigration authorities.

The U.S. Embassy and Consulates General in Jeddah and Dhahran cannot assist in arranging travel permissions within Saudi Arabia or resolving immigration violations. Visitors who overstay their Hajj or Umrah visas are subject to a fine of 10,000 Saudi Riyals (or $2,667) and incarceration pending deportation proceedings. All visitors should obtain clarification upon arrival as to the permitted areas of travel and length of stay.

It is mandatory for Hajj visitors to relinquish all passports to "United Agents Office" representatives to enable the latter to complete all travel formalities to Makkah and Madinah. Pilgrims are issued an identification card and wristband that must be carried at all times.

If pilgrims lose their passports, they should immediately report the loss to their travel agent and obtain a report from the appropriate United Agents Office. Upon completion of Hajj, the U.S. Consulate General in Jeddah can assist in issuing emergency replacement passports to U.S. citizens and “boarding foils” to U.S. legal permanent residents who lose their green cards.


Health

Routine immunizations for all pilgrims should be up-to-date. Hepatitis A and B and typhoid vaccines are also recommended. Although a requirement for polio vaccine does not include pilgrims from the U.S., it is best to ensure full vaccination against polio before travel. Current vaccination requirements are available from the website of the Saudi Ministry of Health. Hand sanitizers, cold, diarrhea, and skin irritation medication are advisable.

Travelers must carry vaccination certificates with them for inspection by Saudi authorities at the port of entry.

Please visit the Centers of Disease Control web site for further health-related information on the Hajj and the recent Novel Coronavirus incidents in Saudi Arabia.


Safety

King Abdul Aziz International Airport in Jeddah is large and modern, with special terminal facilities to accommodate hundreds of thousands of pilgrims. However, due to the extremely large number of people arriving, waiting time at the airport upon arrival during the Hajj may be as long as twelve hours or longer.

Pilgrims should plan on a lengthy wait in hot and humid conditions before leaving the airport on their way to Makkah or Madinah. Travelers with only carry-on bags will find baggage transfer at the airport much easier than will those with checked baggage. Some Hajj pilgrims now fly directly to Madinah and proceed to Makkah by road. There is no airport in Makkah.

The Saudi authorities may not permit travelers to leave the Hajj terminal individually, only with their Hajj travel groups. The U.S. Embassy in Riyadh and Consulates General in Jeddah and Dhahran are unable to assist with this issue.

Travelers should expect crowded conditions during the Hajj. Historically, temperatures in Makkah have ranged between 64 and 108 degrees Fahrenheit. There are facilities providing water, public accommodations, and other amenities. However, due to the large crowds, travelers should expect long wait times for basic amenities especially in Mina, Muzdalifa and Arafat.

While in Saudi Arabia, individuals with disabilities should be prepared to find accessibility and accommodation very different from what is generally found in the U.S.

The Hajj has been an attractive target for defrauding unsuspecting tourists. Travelers should be aware and vigilant of unscrupulous tour operators who abandon tourists, leaving them with unpaid bills, and hoteliers who demand the payment of exorbitant “hidden charges” for the return of passports. Pilgrims are urged to deal only with licensed and established tour operators. In addition, the Saudi Arabian government has been helpful, and experienced personnel are available from the government's Ministry of Hajj in the Holy Cities area during the Hajj season. Communications facilities to contact family in the United States are available in all parts of Saudi Arabia. Internet cafés are available in all major cities. Before arriving in Saudi Arabia for Hajj or Umrah,establish a communication routine for family and friends with whom you wish to keep in contact.

There has been an increase in the number of reported cases of pick-pocketing and other forms of theft in Makkah, particularly in the region of the Grand Mosque, and in Madinah. Pilgrims should take additional care with valuables while visiting these two areas and may consider using a money belt or under-garment pouch as a means to carry valuables.

Photographs

The Saudi authorities have issued instructions forbidding the taking of photographs (still or video, including mobile telephone photographs) at the Holy Mosque at Makkah or at the Prophet's Mosque at Madinah. This restriction also includes the courtyards surrounding these two holy sites. Any violation of these instructions is likely to lead to the confiscation of either film and/or camera. Pilgrims’ bags are regularly checked upon entering the Prophet’s Mosque and the Holy Mosque in Makkah. Pilgrims could be denied entry if found to be carrying cameras or cell phones with cameras.

Transport of Agriculture Items

Guidance for travelers who may be bringing religious articles back to the United States is available from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

Before You Go

U.S. citizens traveling abroad should regularly monitor the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs website, where the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings, Travel Alerts, and Country Specific Information can be found. The U.S. Embassy also encourages U.S. citizens to review"A Safe Trip Abroad,"which includes valuable security information for those both living and traveling abroad. Follow us on Twitter and the Bureau of Consular Affairs page on Facebook as well. You can also download our free Smart Traveler App available through iTunes and the Android market to have travel information at your

In addition to information on the Internet, travelers may obtain up-to-date information on security conditions by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada, or outside the United States and Canada on a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).

U.S. citizens are encouraged to sign up for the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate in order to obtain updated information on local travel and security and keep information up-to-date. Enrollment is important; it allows the State Department to assist U.S. citizens in an emergency.

In the Event of an Emergency

In the event of emergency Hajj pilgrims should first contact the following offices:

  • The National Experimental Establishment for Pilgrims from America, Australia, Europe and Turkey
    Telephone numbers from within Saudi Arabia: 02-542-7003
    Fax: 02-542-0992
    Website:www.mhteaae.com.sa
    Street Address: Al-Nuzha District, Main Street, Makkah

  • Health Affairs
    Office: 02-530-8812

  • Lost Pilgrims
    Office: 02-530-8813

  • Emergency Services
    Ambulance 997
    Police 999
    Traffic Accidents 993

You may also contact the U.S. Consulate General in Jeddah by phone at 02-667-0080 or the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh at 01-488-3800. The U.S. Consulate General and U.S. Embassy will be closed Wednesday, October 24 through Tuesday, October 30, due to weekends (Thurs-Fri), and local holiday for Eid-al-Adha/Hajj. Duty Officers will be available for emergency assistance on those dates and after business hours on any other date. During regular business hours at any other time, callers should ask for the American Citizens Services Unit.

Note: When dialing the Jeddah area (includes Makkah and Taif) from the U.S., use country code 966 and city code 2, e.g. 966-2-542-7003 for The National Experimental Establishment for Pilgrims. When dialing the Riyadh area, use city code 1, e.g. 966-1-488-3800 for the U.S. Embassy.

Help and Assistance

We hope that you will have a trouble-free Hajj like thousands of other pilgrims from the United States. However, if something does go wrong, the U.S. Consulate General in Jeddah can provide you appropriate consular services:

  • Arrange for replacement emergency U.S. passports and “boarding foils” for lost U.S. legal permanent resident cards. After Hajj, please bring a report from the United Agents Office or police regarding loss and a copy of your U.S. passport or green card.
  • Do all we properly can to contact you within 24 hours of being told that you have been arrested.
  • Make special arrangements in case of civil disturbances or disasters.
  • Provide contact information for local lawyers and hospitals.
  • Arrange for a spouse or next of kin to be told of an accident, arrest or death, and advise them on procedures.

We cannot, however, provide the following services:

  • Arrange your travel outside of the designated areas in Makkah and Madinah;
  • Resolve immigration violations;
  • Become involved in any disagreements, e.g. pilgrim and tour operator disputes, lost baggage;
  • Rearrange airline, hotel or other travel bookings;
  • Pay for hotel, legal, medical, travel or other bills;
  • Release you from prison;
  • Provide legal advice or intervene in court cases or criminal investigations;

Please visit Travel.State.Gov for other general guidance on international travel.