Monday, 25 May 2026
Egypt introduces new regulations, expanded options for 2026 tourism hajj season
Egypt’s Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Sherif Fathy, has approved new regulations and procedures to govern the organization of the 1447H (2026) tourism hajj, aiming to enhance the efficiency, safety, and quality of services provided to Egyptian pilgrims traveling through tour companies.
Key updates for 2026 Hajj Season:
Application Period Open: Egyptian citizens wishing to perform the Hajj through tourism companies can apply from Wednesday, October 15th to October 30th.
Transparent Selection:A public electronic draw for all levels of Hajj programs will take place on November 4, ensuring fairness and transparency.
This year’s regulations introduce a wide range of Hajj packages and program levels, designed to meet the diverse social and economic backgrounds of Egypt’s population. For the first time, a new “Five-Star Kaadanah Towers” package allows pilgrims to stay in high-rise accommodations rather than tents during the Hajj rituals.
Notably, the costs of all tourism Hajj programs have been reduced compared to last year, with savings ranging from 5,000 to 20,000 Egyptian pounds (approximately $100 to $650 USD) per program. The state aims to ease the financial burden on citizens while maintaining high standards of service, benefiting from improved hotel and transport contracts within Saudi Arabia.
Minister Fathy has emphasized rigorous monitoring of authorized travel companies throughout the Hajj season. Any company found not fulfilling its obligations to pilgrims will face strict action. The Ministry urges citizens to only deal with officially licensed tour operators to ensure their safety, legal compliance, and rights are fully protected.
Special attention has been given to provide affordable options, with most visas allocated to economic and overland packages. All buses used for overland routes must be modern (no older than 2020 models), equipped with GPS and speed control, and carry no more than 40 passengers to enhance safety and comfort.
Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities has stressed that citizens already registered for Hajj lotteries with the Ministries of Interior or Social Solidarity cannot register for the tourism Hajj electronic draw, ensuring fair and equal opportunity for all applicants.
The Ministry also warns the public not to fall victim to unlicensed entities or fraudulent advertisements, emphasizing that only travelers with official Hajj visas and booked through authorized companies will receive protection and support.
These measures follow extensive coordination between the Ministry, the Supreme Committee for Hajj and Umrah, and relevant travel and tourism bodies. The aims are to continuously develop the system, broaden access, and guarantee that Egyptian travelers enjoy a safe, organized, and high-quality Hajj experience.
Egyptian citizens are encouraged to contact the Ministry directly to verify the legitimacy of any tourism company before signing up for a Hajj package.