Planning Hajj from India in 2027? We’ve gathered the key facts on expected dates, applications and insurance, plus tips for first-time pilgrims.
Hajj isn't like planning a regular holiday. Saudi Arabia allocates each country a set quota of pilgrims every year, so you'll need to apply for a place, and submitting an application doesn't guarantee you'll be selected. The dates also shift from year to year because Hajj follows the Islamic lunar calendar and depends on the sighting of the moon. On top of that, pilgrims need a dedicated Hajj visa, and there are mandatory medical checks and strict luggage rules to prepare for.
To make the process easier, we've brought together the key information and resources Indian pilgrims need in one place.
When is Hajj?
Hajj follows the Islamic lunar calendar and takes place between 8 and 13 Dhul-Hijjah, putting it roughly in mid-May 2027. The precise Gregorian dates will depend on the official moon sighting in Saudi Arabia.
The main rituals begin at Mina on 8 Dhul-Hijjah, followed by the Day of Arafah on the 9th, Muzdalifah that evening and the first Jamarat ritual on the 10th. For planning purposes, expect the core Hajj period to fall around 14–19 May 2027, although these dates remain provisional, and leave some flexibility because lunar-calendar dates can move by a day or so.
How can I book travel for Hajj 2027?
You can't book Hajj the way you would an ordinary trip to Saudi Arabia, so don't assume you can simply fly in and perform it once you arrive. The Saudi tourist eVisa covers tourism and Umrah, but it specifically excludes Hajj.
Your first step is to secure an official Hajj place through an approved route, such as the Hajj Committee of India or a registered Hajj Group Organiser. Depending on your package, your Hajj arrangements will then cover or coordinate your flights, accommodation and ground transport.
Indian pilgrims can travel through the government-run Haj Committee of India (HCoI), or through an authorised Haj Group Organiser (HGO). Formerly known as Private Tour Operators (PTOs), HGOs are private agencies authorised to facilitate the Hajj pilgrimage alongside HCoI. Once finalised, the list of approved HGOs and their allocated pilgrim seats will be published on the Haj Committee of India website.
Both are official routes, but the experience is different.
HCoI is the government-run option, with applications, selection, payments and travel arrangements handled within a standardised system. HGOs are authorised private organisers and can offer different package types and service levels.
If you're deciding between the two, think about how much flexibility and support you want, as well as availability. These are the main differences:
HCoI | HGO |
|---|---|
Government-run application route | Authorised private organiser |
Apply via HCoI website or Haj Suvidha App. | Booking process varies depending on the organiser |
Places allocated according to HCoI rules and quotas. | Places depend on the organiser’s approved allocation.. |
Individuals can apply alone, while family members or near relatives can apply together. HCoI's 2027 rules allow a single cover to contain between one and five adults in the general category, but only family members or near relatives can share a cover. Those pilgrims travel together on the same flights. | Group or family arrangements may be available depending on the organiser and package. |
Operates a strict once-a-lifetime policy in its selection process. | Quota rules apply rather than a once-in-a-lifetime policy. |
Standardised HCoI arrangements for flights, accommodation, transport and other services. | Packages can vary in accommodation, duration, transport and service level. |
What do you need to know when applying for Hajj
HCoI's Hajj 2027 guidelines cover eligibility, applications, health, payments, accommodation, baggage and other practical requirements. Anyone travelling through HCoI should read and familiarise themselves with the complete guide before travel.
At a glance, here's what you need to know:
Can I self-organise my travel for Hajj?
Not in the same way you might organise an ordinary holiday or an Umrah trip.
For Indian residents travelling under India’s Hajj arrangements, the two official routes are the Haj Committee of India (HCoI) and an authorised Haj Group Organiser (HGO). India’s 2027 Hajj quota is split between these two routes, with 70% allocated to HCoI and 30% to HGOs.
That means you cannot simply book your own flights, hotel and tourist visa and then perform Hajj. You first need an approved Hajj place through HCoI or an authorised HGO, and your visa and core Hajj arrangements are then handled within that official process.
Some elements of the trip may offer more flexibility depending on the route and package you choose. For example, an HGO may offer different accommodation or service levels. But the Hajj visa and the Saudi-side arrangements required for the pilgrimage are not something you should try to organise independently.
Do I need to apply for my Hajj visa myself?
No. If you are travelling through HCoI or an authorised HGO, the Hajj visa process forms part of your approved pilgrimage arrangements. Follow the instructions given by HCoI or your organiser rather than trying to apply for a Hajj visa separately.
Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs does have an online Pilgrimage Visa Request service, but it is not a way for an Indian traveller to bypass HCoI or an HGO and independently create a Hajj booking. A tourist or ordinary Umrah visa is not a substitute for a Hajj visa.
Should you book your own flights for Hajj?
It depends on the arrangements attached to your approved Hajj package. If flights are included or allocated as part of your Hajj programme, follow the instructions from HCoI or your authorised organiser.
If your confirmed arrangements allow you to choose flights separately, compare your options carefully around your assigned travel dates rather than searching for the cheapest flight to Jeddah.
Also remember that Hajj creates high passenger volumes, so pay attention to connection times, baggage rules and any reporting requirements set by your organiser.
Once you know the dates and airports that work with your Hajj arrangements, you can use Skyscanner to compare flights from India to Saudi Arabia.
When should I apply for Hajj 2027 from India?
The Haj Committee of India has already begun the 2027 process, with selection and waiting lists under way as of September 2026.
If you have already applied for 2027, check your pilgrim account via HCoI’s website for updates on your selection status, payments, health screening and further travel instructions.
If you missed the HCoI application window for 2027, check whether places are available through authorised Haj Group Organisers.
If you're planning to apply for 2028, please note, HCoI has not yet announced application dates for Hajj 2028. Begin checking HCoI announcements from around early summer 2027 if you intend to travel in 2028 and prepare paperwork well in advance, particularly passport validity.
How are HCoI pilgrims selected for Hajj?
Submitting an HCoI application does not automatically guarantee a Hajj place. Each State and Union Territory has a quota, and if the number of applications exceeds the available places, the Haj Committee of India uses a computerised random draw known as Qurrah.
For Hajj 2027, places are considered in priority order: pilgrims aged 65 or above first, followed by eligible Ladies Without Mehram under 65, certain applicants who were near the top of the Hajj 2026 waiting list, and then new general-category applicants. If a category has more applicants than available seats, Qurrah is used within that category at State or Union Territory level.
For a new general-category applicant, there is no published way to boost your chances once you have submitted a valid application. Selection is random within the applicable category and quota. The most useful thing you can do is apply correctly and on time, make sure you use the right eligibility category, and keep checking HCoI updates in case you are placed on a waiting list.
What’s the difference between Hajj and Umrah
Hajj and Umrah are both pilgrimages associated with Makkah, but their religious rites and travel arrangements differ significantly. Also, an Umrah trip can usually be built around your own dates. Hajj, however, takes place within a large, regulated annual programme.
Hajj | Umrah |
|---|---|
Takes place on specific dates from 8 to 13 Dhul-Hijjah. | Can generally be performed at other times of the year, subject to Saudi entry and seasonal restrictions. |
One of the five pillars of Islam for Muslims who meet the relevant conditions. | A voluntary pilgrimage. |
The main rites take place over five to six days. | The core rites can usually be completed around two to three hours on foot, depending on crowd levels. |
Includes Ihram, Tawaf and Sa’i, plus Mina, Arafat, Muzdalifah, and the Jamarat. | Centered on Ihram, Tawaf and Sa’i plus cutting or shaving the hair. |
Requires an approved Hajj route, fixed dates, and Hajj-specific arrangements. | Travellers have more choice over when they travel because it’s not fixed to Hajj dates. |
Requires a Hajj visa and specific travel arrangements. | Saudi Arabia’s eVisa permits Umrah for eligible travellers |
If you are planning Umrah separately from Hajj, check the current Saudi visa, health and access rules before booking, as they can change from season to season. The Haj Committee of India has detailed information for travellers planning Umrah including resources on how to perform Umrah.
What should first-time Hajj pilgrims know?
For a first Hajj, paperwork is only one part of the preparation. It also helps to understand how physically demanding the pilgrimage can be, what happens over the main days of Hajj and what you may need while moving between the holy sites. A few things are particularly useful to prepare for:
Do you need travel insurance for Hajj from India?
Saudi Arabia introduced health cover providing overseas Hajj and Umrah pilgrims with protection for up to 90 days from the date of entry. The cover is linked to visa issuance and is intended for unexpected medical situations, including emergency treatment, hospitalisation, accidents and urgent healthcare needs.
Once your policy has been issued, Saudi Arabia's Insurance Authority provides an official Hajj and Umrah Insurance Inquiry Service. You can use your passport number, visa number or border number to check your insurance status, policy details, validity and insurer.
However, this is primarily health cover, so don't assume it provides the same protection as a broader international travel insurance policy.
Before buying additional insurance, check what is already included in your Hajj arrangements and whether you need a separate policy to cover:
Emergency medical treatment beyond the limits of your existing cover
Medical evacuation or repatriation
Pre-existing medical conditions
Cancellation or having to cut your trip short
Missed or significantly disrupted flights
Lost, delayed or damaged baggage
Lost travel documents
The full duration of your Hajj trip
What health checks do you need for Hajj 2027?
The Haj Committee of India includes medical screening as part of its process as some medical conditions can make a pilgrim ineligible to travel under the HCoI programme. This includes some neurological or psychiatric disorders, dementia, certain pregnancies, and certain diseases as well as active cancer treatment.
Saudi Arabia also sets health and vaccination requirements for each Hajj season. Check the latest requirements from HCoI and Saudi health authorities closer to departure, and allow enough time for any vaccinations or medical paperwork to be completed.
If you take prescription medication, speak to your healthcare professional about carrying enough for the entire trip, particularly if your Hajj package keeps you in Saudi Arabia for several weeks.
Hajj 2027 planning checklist for Indian travellers
FAQs
If you're planning an Umrah trip or travelling to Saudi Arabia outside of a Hajj package, Skyscanner can help you find the best fares to Jeddah, Madinah or Riyadh. Searching early and checking the cheapest day to book flights from India can help you save, while Price Alerts will notify you when fares on your chosen route drop. Flexible on where you land? The Everywhere search lets you compare prices across Saudi cities and beyond, and if plans come together at short notice, these tips on finding cheap last-minute flights are worth a look.
