Staff Report
RIYADH: Three years after the coronavirus caused a global travel ban, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) has finally eased limitations on the number and age limit of Hajj pilgrims for this season.
No age restriction by KSA for pilgrims
Tawfiq Al Rabiah, the Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah, said that there would be no age restriction on pilgrims once the pandemic returns to normal.
In 2019, almost 2.5 million people performed the Hajj; however, in 2022, as a result of COVID-19, only 900,000 pilgrims, including 780,000 foreigners, participated in the pilgrimage.
In addition, the maximum age was set at 65, and a coronavirus vaccination certificate and a negative PCR test were both requirements for Hajj. A payment scheme for domestic Hajj pilgrims was previously introduced by Saudi Arabia (KSA), under which they could pay their entire pilgrimage cost in three installments.
Domestic pilgrims
Domestic pilgrims can pay 20% of the total as the first installment within 72 hours of reserving a seat, according to a tweet from the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah. By 7 Rajab 1444 AH, the second installment, which accounts for 40% of the whole cost, is due by 29 January 2023. The third and final installment will be due in less than two months before the Hajj season begins in late June of this year, or by 10 Shawwal 1444 AH (30 April 2023). Through the Ministry’s website or the Nusuk portal, domestic pilgrims, including expats living in the Kingdom, can apply.
