MUSCAT, SEPT 20
The online registration process for Haj 2027 corresponding to Hijri year 1448H will begin on September 28, according to the Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs.
Both citizens and expatriates can register their interest on http://hajj.om, the first entitlement results of which will be released on October 11, 2026; second on October 21. The last date to cancel the application is February 27-28, 2027; and the last date for air travel is fixed on March 14, 2027. However, the dates are subject to changes by Saudi authorities and will be communicated as and when it happens, the ministry officials clarified.
Detailing last year’s Haj pilgrimage on the sidelines of the annual press briefing held at the Grand Millennium, the Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs spokesperson said that there has been a major shift for Haj 1448H, focused on safety, cost savings, and simplified procedures, following a record 98 per cent pilgrim satisfaction rate in 1447H.
“For 1448H, the ministry is making the ‘Comprehensive Package mandatory’. All housing, transport, and food services in Makkah, Madinah, and the holy sites must be under one unified contract per company. Multiple separate contracts for the same company will no longer be allowed,” he said.
One of the major announcements is the continuation of the strategic air transport contracting. The initiative, which saved RO 440,000 for air pilgrims last year, will be expanded. Taif Airport will be activated as a strategic alternative to Jeddah to cut bus travel time inside Saudi Arabia. The move successfully reduced land pilgrims from 5,122 to 3,034, improving health and security care. In 1447H, 10,966 Omanis flew compared to 3,034 by road.
Other key regulatory changes include: Oman's quota will be fully managed by the Office of Haj Affairs with no separate organisers on Saudi Arabia's Nusuk Masar platform; each group must have a minimum of 20 pilgrims or pilgrims will be transferred to their second choice; and service staff registration will be limited to Omani citizens only. Each company must appoint one official and one media representative.
The reforms come after reviewing last season's challenges, which included late housing contracts, delayed data entry, unrealistic low package prices that led to irregular extra payments, and lack of coordination between companies.
The Oman Haj Mission reported high performance indicators for 1447H with 7,200 pilgrims: 99.9 per cent satisfaction with the http://hajj.om electronic registration system, 98.6 per cent for Haj company services, 98.6 per cent for religious guidance, 99 per cent for health services, and 99.9 per cent for security in Mina and Arafat.
“To improve the comfort provided to the pilgrims, major works were completed in Mina and Arafat camps: 250 additional washbasins, 75 toilets, 1,600 automatic fire sprinklers, modern lighting, new rest areas, modern flooring, and heat-insulating roofing over 22,800 sqm in Mina have been initiated well before the preliminary works for Haj is begun,” he added.
The Ministry also launched initiatives including the 2nd Hajj Conference and Exhibition, a unified electronic dashboard for sharing contract data, and enhanced medical fitness where health checks are done directly at company offices.
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