By GARBA MUHAMMAD, Kaduna

The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has reiterated that February 8, 2026 remains the deadline for submitting pilgrims’ data and forming groups on the Nusuk Masar registration platform to enable visa issuance for the 2026 Hajj.

This was emphasized during a virtual meeting with Hajj participating countries tagged Official Schedule of Operations, held on February 4, 2026, to re-emphasize key requirements ahead of the commencement of the visa processing phase, which begins on 8th February. The Ministry also confirmed that 20th March 2026 remains the final date for Hajj visa processing.

Anchoring the meeting, Mr. Abdallah Awad Alshehri, Director, Department of International Cooperation at the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, outlined mandatory requirements that must be fulfilled before any pilgrims’ grouping would be approved for visa processing.

According to a statement by Fatima Sanda Usara Deputy Director, Information and Public Relations at the National Hajj Commission (NAHCON), top among the requirements is the payment of a consolidated guarantee for all pilgrims and the identification, processing and payment of Hadaya contracts for pilgrims performing Hajj under the Tumattu’i and Qiran categories. The sacrificial rite (Hadaya) must be paid for strictly through the Nusuk Masar portal, except for pilgrims who opt to fast in place of the sacrifice.

Countries are therefore required to clearly indicate the number of pilgrims performing Hajj under the three categories Ifrad, Tumattu’i and Qiran and distinctly register those opting for fasting instead of Hadaya on the platform.

Another critical requirement is the conclusion of a medical service contract on Nusuk Masar with an accredited Saudi-based medical provider.

In addition, the Ministry has introduced a newly mandated backup accommodation policy in Makkah, requiring countries to book hotel spaces equivalent to one percent of their pilgrims’ quota as a contingency measure. For instance, a country with 40,000 pilgrims must reserve additional accommodation for about 400 pilgrims as a buffer for emergencies. This booking must also be completed on Nusuk Masar before visa issuance.

The Ministry warned that all pilgrims and officials whose passports are not captured on the system by 8th February risk missing the 2026 Hajj exercise.

In another development, the Saudi delegation to Nigeria disclosed that the Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) passenger sharing formula of 50/50 between Saudi Arabia and Nigeria will be fully implemented from 2027. However, for the 2026 Hajj, the Kingdom has retained the concessionary 40/60 arrangement.

Discussions at the meeting also focused on improving the Umrah visa process and addressing cases of visa violations and overstaying in Saudi Arabia. NAHCON requested the identification of tour operator companies with records of absconding pilgrims to enable enforcement of sanctions.

Tour operators were consequently advised to put measures in place to ensure that pilgrims travel and return within the validity period of their visas.