Azerbaijani pilgrims asked to register early for Hajj Amid new Saudi conditions

The Caucasus Muslims Office (CMO) has urged Azerbaijani citizens planning to perform the Hajj pilgrimage to complete their registration as early as possible, citing strict new requirements introduced by Saudi Arabia.

According to domestic media, Vusal Jahangiri, head of the External Relations Department of the Caucasus Muslims Office and administrator of the Hajj electronic system, made the announcement saying the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has instructed all Hajj missions worldwide to finalise registration procedures in advance.

Jahangiri noted that the visa issuance process will begin on the first day of Ramadan and is expected to last around one and a half months. “We ask citizens who intend to perform Hajj to register. Regardless of the quota allocated for pilgrimage, the acceptance of documents will end on February 15,” he said.

The Caucasus Muslims Office has set the cost of the 2026 Hajj pilgrimage package at $6,100 per person.

Hajj is the annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia and is one of the five pillars of Islam. It is obligatory once in a lifetime for adult Muslims who are physically and financially able to undertake the journey, and it takes place during specific days of the Islamic lunar month of Dhu al-Hijjah.

By Tamilla Hasanova