38 more Hajj agencies get approval

The government has approved 38 more agencies to take part in the 2027 Hajj season, taking the total number of approved agencies to 660.

The Ministry of Religious Affairs published the updated list of Hajj agencies on Thursday.

Each of the agencies will have to register new pilgrims online, the ministry said, warning that otherwise the violating agency would face administrative action.

If an agency sends a person to Saudi Arabia without enlisting him/her first, it could lose its operational license without even getting the chance to defend its case. The violating agency could also face legal measures, the religious affairs ministry has warned.

The pilgrims will have to be registered on the online-based “E-Hajj” system, which would serve as the contract between the pilgrim and the agency. In the online enlisting process, the concerned Hajj agency will have mention the services available in Saudi Arabia, duration of stay, distance to hotel from pilgrimage sites, and the cost of package.

Each agency or group of agencies has to enlist at least 44 pilgrims, and appoint an expert guide for every 44 pilgrims. The guide has to be proficient in Saudi language, technology use and directing Hajj activities.

The agencies can band together to fill the quota asked by Saudi authorities.