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State Dept. TravelingTips	Haj Ministry Saudi Arabia
Message from Ministry Of Hajj

Official Hajj Briefing » Hajj Requirements

Hajj Requirements

Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia Washington DC

Visas for Hajj

Disembarcation Airport Activity

Visas for Hajj

The Consular Section of the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Washington DC has the honor to inform all Pilgrims that it will start issuing Hajj visas, which are granted gratis, from Mid-Shawwal until 25th Dhu Al-Qudah of each year. Hajj visas are not valid for work or residency.

Each applicant for a Hajj visa must apply through a licensed US travel agency , which must present the Consulate with copies of "Accommodation Contacts" and a letter of the Ministry of Hajj in Saudi Arabia confirming that the travel agency has duly completed all requirements to qualify to assist pilgrims.

Applications for Hajj visa will not be considered if the following requirements are not complete:

The applicant must have a passport with a validity of at least six (6) 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 (1) 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.
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 his complete information on the application forms of his spouse and children or any relative with whom he is traveling. He should also provide copies of marriage or birth certificates; if these documents were issued outside the USA , he should then provide copies translated and notarized by a certified translation office.
All ladies are required to travel for Hajj with a Mahram. Proof of kinship must be submitted with the application form. Any lady over the age of forty-five (45) may travel without a Mahram with an organized group, provided she submits a letter of no objection from her husband, son or brother 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 fifteen (15) years of age, a vaccination report is required for polio as well as meningitis and polio. Children over fifteen (15) years of age should present the same vaccinations requested for adults.

Each pilgrim should submit two certified checks or cashier checks payable to 'Unified Agents Office' in Jeddah for pilgrimage services. These checks should include the name and the passport number of the pilgrim. Each applicant must pay the following fees:
(a) US $158.40 (one hundred fifty-eight dollars & forty cents) for services rendered by the local Tawaf agencies and for housing at the Holy sites.
(b) US $116.00 (one hundred sixteen dollars only) for air-conditioned transportation services. Pilgrims have the option to submit one check combining both fees: in this case, the amount would be US$ 274.40 (two hundred seventy-four dollars & forty cents).
Children between the age of seven (7) and fifteen (15) should only pay half of the above-mentioned amount.

Children under the age of seven (7) do not need to pay.
Non-US citizens should submit a copy of their green card or documented proof of legal residence status in the USA . 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 in the USA .
No applicant under the legal age of eighteen (18) 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; this needs to be notarized by an Islamic Center.

General Guidelines:

Travelers must carry vaccination certificates with them for inspection by the Saudi Authority at port of entry.
No food products are allowed into the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia .
The last day to enter King Abdulaziz Airport in Jeddah for the purpose of Hajj is 4 Dhu Al-Hijjah of each year.
Upon arrival, pilgrims shall hand their passports to the custody of the "Unified Agents Office" representatives to enable the latter to complete all travel formalities to Makkah and Madinah.
In the event that pilgrims lose their passport, they should immediately report the loss to the same office appointed to take care of them during Hajj. Applicants must obtain a report from the office of the Unified Agents in which the loss of passport is mentioned.
All pilgrims must leave the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia after Hajj no later than the 10th of Muharram of each year. The rules and regulations of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia forbid any pilgrims from staying in the country after the completion of Hajj.

General guidelines for travel agencies:

Travel agents must provide the consulate with Residence, Tawaf, and transportation contracts. They also must provide the unified contract that verifies the general services provided to pilgrims. This contact must include the name of the organizer, the code given to him by the Ministry of Hajj, and the number of visas he's allowed to get. He also must provide the consulate with a letter from the Ministry of Hajj's office in Makkah. All these documents should arrive at the consulate before hajj visas are issued.
Passports will be returned if the information submitted is not compatible with the information sent electronically by the Ministry of Pilgrimage. The Embassy reserves the right to inform the ministry of Pilgrimage about travel agencies that submit inaccurate or incomplete information.
Travel agencies should affix on each passport a sticker showing the agency's name, address and telephone number.
In the case that a travel agency wishes to submit any question or complaints to the Ministry of Hajj , they could do so through the company or agency they deal with in Saudi Arabia or through the official routes in their country.

Notes:

Visitors should not overstay the time granted on the visa.
Visitors to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia must abide by the country's Islamic laws and regulations and respect its society's values and traditions.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 's laws against drug trafficking are strictly enforced. Violators are subject to severe punishment, which may include the death penalty.
Sectarian, political or religious gatherings are forbidden.

If you are applying to Washington , DC , fill out and then print the Visa Application & Requirements (pdf)

The Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Washington DC takes this opportunity to wish all pilgrims a happy Hajj and a safe return.

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Disembarcation Airport Activity

STEP ONE:When your Flight will arrive at King Abdul Aziz International Airport at Jeddah, you will be transfer by Saudi Airlines Ground handling Staff to the designated Buses. You would be transfer to the Arrival Hall.

STEP TWO: At Jeddah airport BROTHERS and SISTERS pilgrims are made to sit in separate Immigration Hall before called for Immigration Service. After Immigration you go through the Customs for luggage clearance. [Processing time AT Jeddah Airport some where around 3 to 5+hrs please be Patient, where as at the Madina Airport it will be the same procedure but from 1 Hour to 2 hours]. Your Group Leader will be with you all this time.

STEP THREE: While you are waiting for these procedures, the crew will bring your luggage on in the Customs Hall which is the next adjacent Hall to immigration Hall. After immigration then you would proceed to Step 4 which would be Customs procedure.

Then you identify your luggage and bring to the exit gate where the crew will put your luggage on the large trolley then either designates one person from your group to follow the trolley or you may follow the trolley to make sure where your luggage is being held. Then alternate between your groups to make sure that everyone gets to complete step 3.

PLEASE KEEP YOUR PASSPORT AND TICKETS WITH YOU AND SOME ONE WILL HELP YOU TO FILL OUT YOUR ARRIVAL CARD WHICH YOU WILL RECIVE AT THE AIRPLAIN BEFORE LANDING.

STEP FOUR: Outside of the customs area, the workers of the Unified Agents Office will detach Haj Draft which we have staple on your Passport (This is the Moullim charges). At the counter they will attach stickers for their services and keep your Passports. You will receive a CARD which will be the same for every one. Your Passport will be kept by the Saudi Immigration Authority till you finish the Hajj. DO NOT WORRY. KEEP THE CARD & RETURN TO US WHEN YOU HAVE BEEN ASKED.

Our local ground staff would be waiting for you with Boarding Card for you to travel from Jeddah to Madina where as at Madina they will be waiting with the ground transportation to transport you to the Hotel.

Those who are traveling from JFK to JED than you will get the Boarding Card by our staff at the Jeddah Terminal. Please follow their instruction, go to Saudi Arabian Airlines check in counter and show them you're Jeddah-Madinah Boarding Card and they will be checking your luggage.

You and your luggage will be boarded per flight schedule. Since, they have shuttle flights running every hour to Madinah.

If you are traveling alone please remember to follow the instruction and meet our representatives. They have all your information prior to your arrival at Jeddah or Madina. Advise us of your flight # and departure time by calling one of the numbers below:

USA Haj Mission Haj Coordinator is available at the airport to greet you or the group.

Upon boarding the flight to Madinah, your passports will be collected. When you arrive at Madina airport proceed to Baggage Claim and collect your luggage and upon exiting Airport doors, Madinah Airport workers will give your card or token with your "Maktub Number" where they will keep your passport!...

IMPORTANT! DO NOT FORGET TO COLLECT THE CARD AGAINST YOUR PASSPORT BEFORE EXITING THE AIRPORT. IF YOU FORGOT TO TAKE OR MISPLACE THIS CARD IT WILL BE HARDSHIP TO US TO LOCATE THE PASSPORT. AT THIS POINT ON YOUR PASSPORT WILL BE KEPT WITH THEM.

LUGGAGE LOST: - Please submit your complaint at the Baggage counter of the respective airport where you discovered this problem. We need your baggage lost report for follow up. Our highly skill and trained staff would be happy to follow up if you give the entire necessary toll.

Finally wait for our staff, outside the airport, if you choose or you may get a Taxi outside the airport and show your "Hotel Info card" enclosed in your package.

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