Hajj from Philippines: how the national system works
Filipinos get Hajj places through National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF), Bureau of Pilgrimage and Endowment, against a quota. Registration, timeline, costs, health documents, embassy and flights, checked against official and national sources.
How Hajj registration works in Philippines
The National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) is mandated by law to coordinate, supervise and administer Hajj pilgrimage for Filipino Muslims, working with Saudi Arabia's Hajj authorities and with NCMF-accredited private travel agencies that handle bookings and logistics, particularly for the large pilgrim communities in Mindanao and other Muslim-majority areas of the Philippines as well as overseas Filipino workers elsewhere. Intending pilgrims typically register through an NCMF-accredited agency during an announced window, providing standard documentation and a deposit ahead of the balance being paid in installments. We could not find a specific, currently sourced Philippine national quota figure or a detailed public description of the exact selection mechanics (queue, lottery, or first-come) in available international reporting, so prospective pilgrims should confirm current procedures, eligibility and timelines directly with NCMF or an accredited agency rather than assuming a fixed process.
NCMF is mandated by law to coordinate and supervise Hajj for Filipino Muslims. Pilgrims register through NCMF's e-Hajj system or at the Bureau in Quezon City, and travel either on the NCMF-organised programme or with an NCMF-accredited private operator (the accredited list is published each year). The Philippines is not on the Nusuk direct list.
Step by step
- Register with National Commission on Muslim Filipinos 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 National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF), Bureau of Pilgrimage and Endowment; 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 Philippines
A reliable, current published package cost in Philippine pesos was not found in available sourcing, and pricing appears to be set by individual NCMF-accredited agencies rather than a single published national figure. We point prospective pilgrims to an NCMF-accredited agency's current pricing, or NCMF's own guidance, or our calculator, rather than quoting a figure here. 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 Philippines, and whether meals and internal transport are bundled. See Hajj budgeting and shifting versus non-shifting packages.
Umrah from Philippines while you wait
The Philippines is not on the Saudi eVisa list, so Filipinos apply through a licensed Umrah company with a Nusuk hotel and transport booking. Saudia flies nonstop from Manila to Jeddah and Riyadh. Filipinos who hold a used US, UK or Schengen visa may qualify for the tourist eVisa route.
Full visa guide for Filipinos →
Vaccines and health documents for Hajj and Umrah from Philippines
These are the Saudi Ministry of Health requirements for Umrah travellers in the 1447 H (2026) edition, read for Philippines 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 Philippines |
|---|---|
| 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 Philippines in the 1447 H list. Keep routine immunisation up to date. |
| Yellow fever | Not required for travellers arriving from Philippines. 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 Philippines
The Saudi Embassy in Philippines is in Manila. 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 Philippines
Saudia lists scheduled passenger flights from Manila. 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. Philippines 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 with a travel agency accredited by NCMF for Hajj
- Confirm current registration and selection procedures directly with NCMF, as detailed public information is limited
- Ask your agency for its official accreditation reference before paying
- Complete required medical and vaccination checks ahead of the deadline
- Build in extra time for visa and travel-document processing
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 Filipinos register for Hajj on Nusuk directly?
No. Philippines is not on the Nusuk direct list; Hajj places come through National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF), Bureau of Pilgrimage and Endowment.
What is Philippines's Hajj quota?
A published 2026 figure was not found. The authority announces the allocation each season.
How much does Hajj cost from Philippines?
A reliable, current published package cost in Philippine pesos was not found in available sourcing, and pricing appears to be set by individual NCMF-accredited agencies rather than a single published national figure. We point prospective pilgrims to an NCMF-accredited agency's current pricing, or NCMF's own guidance, or our calculator, rather than quoting a figure here. 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 Filipinos need for Hajj?
Meningococcal ACYW. The health table on this page gives the Saudi Ministry of Health rule for Philippines; the Hajj circular is issued separately each season.
Can Filipinos do Umrah while waiting?
Yes, through a licensed Umrah operator with a Nusuk booking; Umrah has no quota.
Sources
- https://ncmf.gov.ph/offices/bpe/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Commission_on_Muslim_Filipinos
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visa_policy_of_Saudi_Arabia
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Saudia_destinations
- 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