Hajj from Iran: how the national system works
Iranians get Hajj places through Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization (Iran), against a quota of 87,550. Registration, timeline, costs, health documents, embassy and flights, checked against official and national sources.
How Hajj registration works in Iran
Iran's Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization runs a long-standing registration system in which citizens open a Hajj savings/priority record years in advance; when the annual quota is announced, those with the earliest registration priority (often tied to a national queue number) are called up first, with remaining places allocated by lottery among newer applicants. Selected pilgrims are grouped into official caravans and pay a published rial package price in installments through state-approved channels. The Organization coordinates directly with Saudi authorities on logistics given the size and structure of Iran's delegation, and publishes each year's registration and departure calendar to mosques and provincial offices well ahead of the season. 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.
Iran's official quota was 87,550 for 2026, but reports put the number who actually travelled far lower amid currency and flight constraints. Places go by registration priority in the Organization's long-standing system.
Step by step
- Register with Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization 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 Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization (Iran); 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 Iran
The Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization sets an official package price in Iranian rials each year; given the rial's volatility, the figure has moved substantially year to year and is usually announced close to the season rather than far in advance. We don't quote a fixed figure here, check the Organization's current announcement or our calculator. 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 Iran, and whether meals and internal transport are bundled. See Hajj budgeting and shifting versus non-shifting packages.
Umrah from Iran while you wait
Iran is not on the Saudi eVisa list. Umrah for Iranians is organised by the state Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization, which resumed Umrah trips in 2026 after a six-month pause with 18,000 pilgrims in the first phase and a flight roughly every five days from different provinces; millions of voucher holders are waiting. Saudia lists Tehran and Mashhad, with seasonal flights from other cities.
Full visa guide for Iranians →
Vaccines and health documents for Hajj and Umrah from Iran
These are the Saudi Ministry of Health requirements for Umrah travellers in the 1447 H (2026) edition, read for Iran 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 Iran |
|---|---|
| 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 Iran in the 1447 H list. Keep routine immunisation up to date. |
| Yellow fever | Not required for travellers arriving from Iran. 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 Iran
The Saudi Embassy in Iran is in Tehran, with a consular post in Mashhad (Consulate-General). Umrah visas are filed electronically by your licensed operator, so most pilgrims never visit. The embassy matters for document attestation, family-visit visas and problems with an application. Opening hours and services are on each mission's page at mofa.gov.sa.
Flying to Jeddah or Madinah from Iran
Saudia lists scheduled passenger flights from Tehran and Mashhad, plus seasonal or pilgrimage-season flights from Isfahan, Ahvaz, Tabriz and Zahedan. 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. Iran 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 your priority record with the Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization as early as possible, queue position matters
- Confirm your caravan and group leader assignment ahead of departure
- Budget in rials for a price that can shift significantly between registration and departure
- Complete the required health screening well before the season
- Use only the Organization's official provincial offices for registration, not informal brokers
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 Iranians register for Hajj on Nusuk directly?
No. Iran is not on the Nusuk direct list; Hajj places come through Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization (Iran).
What is Iran's Hajj quota?
87,550 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 Iran?
The Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization sets an official package price in Iranian rials each year; given the rial's volatility, the figure has moved substantially year to year and is usually announced close to the season rather than far in advance. We don't quote a fixed figure here, check the Organization's current announcement or our calculator. 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 Iranians need for Hajj?
Meningococcal ACYW. The health table on this page gives the Saudi Ministry of Health rule for Iran; the Hajj circular is issued separately each season.
Can Iranians do Umrah while waiting?
Yes, through a licensed Umrah operator with a Nusuk booking; Umrah has no quota.
Sources
- https://gulfnews.com/amp/story/world/gulf/iran-resumes-umrah-after-six-month-pause-with-18000-pilgrims-1.500643961
- https://iqna.ir/en/news/3497427/umrah-after-hajj-2026-key-points-pilgrims-need-to-know
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Saudia_destinations
- https://thehajj.guide/news/hajj-2026-quotas-by-country-who-sends-the-most-pilgrims-92d2dd
- https://www.spa.gov.sa/en/N2637600
- https://hajj.nusuk.sa/ServicedCountries
- https://haj.gov.sa/en/FAQ
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visa_policy_of_Saudi_Arabia
- 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