New Hajj Accommodation Rules Set for 2026 Season

The Ministry of Tourism has approved updated regulations governing Hajj-season accommodation in Makkah and Madinah, introducing new licensing rules, classification standards, and a detailed schedule of violations and penalties. The framework applies to the Hajj seasons starting with 1447–1448 AH (the 2026 Hajj and beyond).

The new rules cover every facility that hosts pilgrims during Hajj, including year-round hotels, furnished apartments, and temporary seasonal lodgings in the two holy cities. Under the framework, only licensed facilities are permitted to accommodate pilgrims during the Hajj period.

For the 1447 AH (2026) Hajj, licenses for pilgrim accommodation in Makkah and Madinah will be issued exclusively by the Ministry of Tourism through its electronic platform, integrated with the Nusuk Masar system for Hajj services. Property owners or operators must first register their facility on Nusuk Masar as a Hajj accommodation provider, then submit a license request through the tourism e-services portal, uploading documents such as commercial registration, title or lease, building data, safety certificates, and municipal approval.

Applications must also include approvals from Civil Defense and relevant supervisory authorities. Once a license is issued, the facility activates its electronic account on Nusuk Masar before contracting with Hajj organizers and pilgrims.

Key Deadline

The deadline for contracting and completing licensing for 2026 Hajj accommodation is 13 Shaʿban 1447 AH (1 February 2026). No new applications will be accepted for that season after this date. Seasonal licenses are valid only for the specified Hajj period, while year-round hotels already licensed by the Ministry retain their standard licenses and are simply activated for Hajj through Nusuk Masar.

The move matters to residents and businesses in the hospitality sector, offering clearer standards and a single digital channel for compliance ahead of the pilgrimage season.

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