One of the most important rites for Muslims around the world is performing Hajj in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. As a result, thousands of Qataris, as well as expatriates, make the pilgrimage to Mecca each year.

Ali bin Sultan Al Misifri, Department Director of the Hajj and Umrah Department at the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs (Awqaf), announced new guidelines for residents interested in performing Hajj.

Guidelines issued by the AWQAF

1) Two doses of Covid-19 vaccination is required for all applicants for a Hajj permit. A copy of each vaccination date should be enclosed with the application.

2) It is required that expats in Qatar who are applying for Hajj be at least 40 years old and have lived in the country for at least 10 years before applying. The minimum age for Qatari nationals and GCC residents in Qatar is 18.

3) On the hajj.gov.qa website, applicants must provide their ID card number, expiration date, and phone number.

4) Once the applicant has registered, a message will be sent to the phone number they provided with a link to complete the registration process. To complete the registration, you will also need your passport and email address.

5) Applicants can also add details of others who wish to travel with them before saving and submitting the application. Applicants receive a tracking number once their application is submitted in order to check the status of their application online.

6) Applications will be accepted on the website on February 12 at 8am, and they will last a full month, until March 12, 2023. Applicants will be notified about the results about a week to ten days after the closing date.

Travel agencies certified by AWQAF will be closely monitored in terms of pricing of Hajj packages. The Saudi Arabian government will publish the official quota after which the final Hajj-goers will be determined.