Hajj from China: how the national system works
Chinese get Hajj places through Islamic Association of China (China Islamic Association) and its provincial branches, against a quota of 9,190. Registration, timeline, costs, health documents, embassy and flights, checked against official and national sources.
How Hajj registration works in China
China's Hajj program is tightly organized through the state-recognized Islamic Association of China and its provincial branches, which are the only channel through which Chinese Muslims may register for Hajj, independent or private-agency bookings are not part of the system. Intending pilgrims register through their provincial Islamic Association during an announced window, and selection follows criteria set by the Association (which have in the past included age limits and prior Hajj history). Selected pilgrims travel in officially organized delegations, pay a published package price in installments in Chinese yuan, and the Association coordinates visas, flights and in-country logistics directly with Saudi authorities. Keep copies of every registration receipt and payment confirmation, since these are typically what's required to resolve disputes or confirm a place if paperwork is questioned later.
Hajj from mainland China is organised only through the Islamic Association of China; under regulations in force since 2020 no other organisation may arrange it, and private or independent Hajj trips are not permitted. Applicants join a waiting list through their local religious-affairs office, and the national allocation is split among provincial-level Islamic associations. China is not on the Nusuk direct list.
Step by step
- Register with Islamic Association of China and its provincial branches during its announced window; most countries open registration many months before Hajj and some run multi-year queues.
- If applications exceed the quota, wait for the lottery or queue result; keep your registration current each year if the system requires renewal.
- Choose between the government package and a licensed private operator's package where both exist, and pay only through the channels the authority names.
- Complete the medical examination and vaccinations in time for the visa file; the national mission submits your details to the Saudi Ministry and receives your visa and Nusuk card.
- Attend the pre-departure training and travel with your group on the scheduled flights.
Typical timeline
| When | What happens |
|---|---|
| 12 months or more before Hajj | Registration window at Islamic Association of China (China Islamic Association) and its provincial branches; some countries run queues measured in years. |
| 9 to 6 months before | Lottery or queue results; payment deadline; choice of government or licensed private package where both exist. |
| 5 to 2 months before | Medical examination, vaccinations, passport submission; the national mission files visas with the Saudi Ministry. |
| Dhul Hijjah | Group flights on the mission schedule; Makkah Route countries clear Saudi immigration before departure. |
Illustrative order of events; the authority publishes exact dates each season and they move with the Hijri calendar.
What it costs from China
The Islamic Association of China and its provincial branches publish an official package price each year in yuan, covering flights, accommodation and organized-group services; a consistently reported current figure was not found in international sourcing, so we point readers to the provincial Association's current announcement or our calculator rather than quoting one. Rather than guess, compare current licensed operators' published price lists side by side, since the main cost drivers, hotel distance from the Haram, flight class, and group size, vary more between operators than between years.
The drivers are the same everywhere: camp category in Mina, hotel distance from the Haram in Makkah and Madinah, room sharing, flights from China, and whether meals and internal transport are bundled. See Hajj budgeting and shifting versus non-shifting packages.
Umrah from China while you wait
Chinese passport holders are on the Saudi eVisa list and can apply on the official portal or Nusuk; the eVisa allows Umrah outside the Hajj season. Saudia flies nonstop from Beijing and Guangzhou.
Vaccines and health documents for Hajj and Umrah from China
These are the Saudi Ministry of Health requirements for Umrah travellers in the 1447 H (2026) edition, read for China specifically. The Hajj list is issued separately each season and is normally the same or stricter. Certificates are checked at the airport of departure and on arrival.
| Requirement | What applies to travellers from China |
|---|---|
| Meningococcal (ACYW) vaccine | Required for every pilgrim from every country: conjugate vaccine within 5 years, or polysaccharide within 3 years, given at least 10 days before arrival. |
| Polio | Not required for travellers from China in the 1447 H list. Keep routine immunisation up to date. |
| Yellow fever | Not required for travellers arriving from China. It applies only if you arrive from a listed yellow fever country. |
| COVID-19 | Required only for higher-risk groups (over 65, pregnant, chronic heart, lung or kidney disease, blood disorders, immunodeficiency, cancer, chronic neurological disease): an updated 2025-2026 dose, a completed 2021-2024 primary series, or confirmed infection in 2025. |
| Recommended | Seasonal influenza vaccine; routine immunisations up to date; carry medication in original packaging with a doctor's note. |
Source: Saudi Ministry of Health, Health Requirements for Travelers to Saudi Arabia for Umrah, 1447H. The 1448 H edition may move countries between lists; check the MoH page before you vaccinate.
Saudi embassy and consulates in China
The Saudi Embassy in China is in Beijing, with consular posts in Guangzhou (Consulate-General) and Hong Kong (Consulate-General). You do not need to visit them for a tourist eVisa or an Umrah visa: both are issued online. The embassy matters for passport problems, document attestation, and visa categories that are not electronic. Opening hours and services are on each mission's page at mofa.gov.sa.
Flying to Jeddah or Madinah from China
Saudia lists scheduled passenger flights from Beijing and Guangzhou. Jeddah (King Abdulaziz International) is the gateway for Makkah; Madinah (Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International) suits pilgrims starting in Madinah. Gulf carriers, flynas, flyadeal and national airlines also serve these markets, often at lower fares with one stop.
Route list compiled from Saudia's published destinations on 2026-09-19; schedules change by season.
Mistakes to avoid
- Registering through a sub-agent who is not on the national authority's approved list.
- Missing the payment deadline after selection; unpaid places are reallocated and several countries report thousands of missed visas each year.
- Expecting to book Hajj on Nusuk directly. China is not on the Nusuk serviced-countries list, so the national mission is the only route.
- Leaving the medical file and vaccinations to the last month.
Practical tips
- Register only through your provincial Islamic Association, there is no private-agency alternative
- Check the Association's current eligibility criteria (age, prior Hajj history) before applying
- Confirm your delegation's group leader and itinerary ahead of departure
- Complete required medical and vaccination checks ahead of the deadline
- Expect a fully organized-group experience with fixed flights and hotels
Prepare properly
- How to perform Hajj, step by step
- Health and fitness preparation
- How Hajj quotas work
- Install the offline companion with the guided days of Hajj and duas
Questions pilgrims ask
Can Chinese register for Hajj on Nusuk directly?
No. China is not on the Nusuk direct list; Hajj places come through Islamic Association of China (China Islamic Association) and its provincial branches.
What is China's Hajj quota?
9,190 for 2026 according to the sources on this page. Quotas are agreed with Saudi Arabia each year and can change.
How much does Hajj cost from China?
The Islamic Association of China and its provincial branches publish an official package price each year in yuan, covering flights, accommodation and organized-group services; a consistently reported current figure was not found in international sourcing, so we point readers to the provincial Association's current announcement or our calculator rather than quoting one. Rather than guess, compare current licensed operators' published price lists side by side, since the main cost drivers, hotel distance from the Haram, flight class, and group size, vary more between operators than between years. Use the cost calculator for a planning range.
Which vaccines do Chinese need for Hajj?
Meningococcal ACYW. The health table on this page gives the Saudi Ministry of Health rule for China; the Hajj circular is issued separately each season.
Can Chinese do Umrah while waiting?
Yes. Chinese can get the Saudi tourist eVisa themselves and perform Umrah outside the Hajj season.
Sources
- https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202010/12/WS5f841faaa31024ad0ba7e2b2.html
- https://www.scmp.com/news/china/society/article/3105694/beijing-bans-personal-pilgrimages-mecca-chinese-muslims
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visa_policy_of_Saudi_Arabia
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Saudia_destinations
- https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/hajj-quota-by-country
- https://www.spa.gov.sa/en/N2637600
- https://hajj.nusuk.sa/ServicedCountries
- https://haj.gov.sa/en/FAQ
- https://www.moh.gov.sa/en/HealthAwareness/Pilgrims-Health/Documents/Health-Regulations-Umrah-EN.pdf
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_diplomatic_missions_of_Saudi_Arabia