We know that before performing the Hajj, it is mandatory for those Muslims who want to undertake this holy journey, to apply for it. They should know all steps to apply for their Hajj journey and understand these steps carefully. In this context, read this topic to know more information, “How can I apply for Hajj 2023?”

A yearly Islamic pilgrimage to Makkah, Saudi Arabia, the holiest city for Muslims, is known as the Hajj. Every adult Muslim has a religious obligation to perform the Hajj at least once in their lifetime if they are physically and financially capable of doing so and supporting their family while they are away from home.

While Hajj cannot be performed with a tourist visa, pilgrims may perform Umrah. The Saudi government set a quota for pilgrims who join the Hajj pilgrimage. Every country in the world has a particular limitation. It might be impossible to control the number of pilgrims there if the Saudi government allows everyone to perform the Hajj on a visit visa. However, in 2021, the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has started an online system to issue Hajj visas, just as it does for Umrah.      

When Hajj is in 2023?

Hajj 2023 will begin in the evening of

Monday, 26 June

And will end in the evening of

Saturday, 1 July

Can Hajj be performed on a Visit Visa?

People have a misconception that they can offer the Hajj while on a visit visa. They cannot currently do the Hajj with a visit visa, according to Saudi Arabian government policy. People travel abroad for business, medical treatment, and other purposes using a visit visa. Intention is a crucial component of all worship.

Hajj is not a simple journey where you visit various locations at various times, as you would on any other regular journey. Numerous Islamic rituals are included in this worship, including prayers, Tawaf, Nahr (Sacrifice) etc.

For those who travel to Saudi Arabia to perform the Hajj, a quota system was implemented. Every country in the world has a specific limitation. If the Saudi government permits everyone to perform the Hajj on a visit visa, it might be hard to manage the amount of pilgrims there.

 However, in 2021, the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has begun issuing Hajj visas via an online system, just as it does for Umrah. Indeed, obtaining a Hajj visa today is easier for Muslims than it was in the past.   

Procedure to apply for Hajj 2023

All you need to do to apply for the Hajj is visit Motawif.com and complete the registration form.

The Motawif portal offers a variety of Hajj Packages, multilingual communication centres, and customer support services to make organizing your pilgrimage easier and more manageable.

Please be aware, though, that enrolling on the portal does not mean that your application for the Hajj has been accepted. You must complete the application with accurate information and wait for a response from the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah. You must be between the age of 18 and 65 in order to perform the Hajj, and you must also fulfil the following requirements:

  • Vaccination certificate for approved vaccines
  • Need to have a clear medical history (should have not any chronic disease)
  • You might not have gone on Hajj during the previous five years.

How do foreign pilgrims check their Hajj Registry?

The Saudi government launched an online Hajj registration process for locals, and citizens of the UK, USA, and Europe as of the beginning of this year (2022). To ensure that every Muslim has the chance to perform the Hajj at least once in their lives, the online portal was created. The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah now has an easier way of keeping a record of pilgrims because of the digital system.

All Muslims are allowed to submit their applications for the Hajj, but only a lucky people are selected each year by the Ministry. The selection criteria usually based on an applicant’s application, age, and a lucky draw. The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah only permitted 60,000 pilgrims to make the annual pilgrimage in 2022. For the Hajj 2023, this number has increased to one million.

As a result, if you are a foreign pilgrim and have completed the registration part of the Hajj application procedure while making sure that you meet the health requirements and regulatory obligations, you must be excited to know whether your application has been approved or not. To check the status of your application for Hajj registration, follow the steps mentioned below:

  • Visit the official website of Motawif.com
  • Click “Application Status” from the menu.
  • Your name, address, mobile number, and application/ticket ID must be entered.
  • Click “Send OTP,” enter the OTP, and then check the status of your Hajj registry.

How can much cost of Hajj 2023?

The price of the Hajj from the UK can range widely when arranging a package through an agency, from £5,000 to £10,000. The price of such packages often relies on the kind of lodging and the number of days you plan to stay there.

It is important to keep in mind that choosing between shifting and non-shifting packages can also affect the cost. Shifting means you will have to change residence, literally ‘shift’ yourself and your belongings. Non-shifting allows you to stay in your residence for peace of mind.       

Is there any age limit for Hajj 2023?

The most recent instructions issued by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj state that anyone older than 65 is not permitted to attend the annual pilgrimage, despite the fact that there is no age limit in Islam for performing the Hajj obligation.

For Hajj 2022, The Saudi government allowed only those pilgrims for performing Hajj who were less 65 years, due to the pandemic Covid-19.

Can I do Hajj without any travel agency?

Hajj pilgrims must book a package that includes travel, lodging, and visas through a company that has been certified by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah.

If a pilgrim goes to do Hajj without the help of any travel agency, he can face many troubles during this holy journey. There is a big crowd in Makkah during the days of Hajj. Pilgrims can suffer different problems to find their destination in this big crowd.

So, it is advised to pilgrims to book a package from an authorized travel agency to prevent any difficulty.

Conclusion

Hajj is an obligation for both men and women who are Muslims alike. It is not for people who are not financially and physically healthy.

For Muslims who are planning to perform the Hajj, applying for it is a must before beginning the pilgrimage. They should be aware of every process involved in applying for their Hajj journey by booking their Hajj Packages 2023.

Pilgrims can perform Umrah with a tourist visa, but not in the case of Hajj. It might be difficult to control the number of pilgrims if the Saudi government allows everyone to perform the Hajj on a tourist visa. However, the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah started issuing Hajj visas through an online system in 2021. Indeed, it is now simpler for Muslims to obtain a Hajj visa than it ever was.