Hajj from Sudan: how the national system works

How Hajj registration works in Sudan

Sudan's Hajj and Umrah Authority normally coordinates the national quota with licensed private Hajj companies handling most bookings and logistics. Since the civil war that began in April 2023, however, Sudan's Hajj administration, banking system and internal travel have been badly disrupted, and reporting on standard registration procedures, quotas actually filled, and payment mechanics has been limited and inconsistent year to year. Prospective pilgrims of Sudanese nationality, especially those affected by displacement, should treat any older description of a 'normal' registration process with caution and confirm current arrangements directly with the Authority, a licensed operator, or Sudanese diplomatic missions rather than assuming pre-2023 procedures still apply. 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.

The war has moved Sudan's Hajj administration and departures to Port Sudan. In 2026 Sudan Airways resumed Hajj flights after nine years, operating from Port Sudan to Madinah, and Jeddah Islamic Port received Sudanese pilgrims by sea. Costs in Sudanese pounds roughly doubled year on year, and state-level allocations were small; check the current arrangements with the Hajj authority before paying.

Step by step

1. Register with Sudanese Hajj and Umrah authorities under the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Endowments during its announced window; most countries open registration many months before Hajj and some run multi-year queues.
2. If applications exceed the quota, wait for the lottery or queue result; keep your registration current each year if the system requires renewal.
3. Choose between the government package and a licensed private operator's package where both exist, and pay only through the channels the authority names.
4. 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.
5. Attend the pre-departure training and travel with your group on the scheduled flights.

Typical timeline

Illustrative order of events; the authority publishes exact dates each season and they move with the Hijri calendar.

What it costs from Sudan

A reliable, current published package cost in Sudanese pounds was not found in available sourcing, and the war-affected banking system makes standard cost comparisons unreliable. We point prospective pilgrims to the Sudanese Hajj and Umrah Authority's current guidance and our calculator rather than quoting a figure. 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 Sudan, and whether meals and internal transport are bundled. See Hajj budgeting and shifting versus non-shifting packages.

Umrah from Sudan while you wait

Sudan is not on the Saudi eVisa list, so Sudanese pilgrims apply through a licensed company with a Nusuk booking. The Saudi Ministry of Health lists Sudan among countries that must present a meningococcal vaccination certificate and among yellow fever countries, and requires a certificate of completed cholera health observation covering at least 10 days before travel. The Saudi Embassy now operates from Port Sudan, and Saudia flies from Port Sudan.

Full visa guide for Sudanese →

Vaccines and health documents for Hajj and Umrah from Sudan

These are the Saudi Ministry of Health requirements for Umrah travellers in the 1447 H (2026) edition, read for Sudan 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.

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 Sudan

The Saudi Embassy in Sudan is in Port Sudan. 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 Sudan

Saudia lists scheduled passenger flights from Port Sudan. 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. Sudan 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

• Confirm current registration procedures directly with the Hajj and Umrah Authority given the disruption since 2023
• Verify any private operator's licensing status carefully before paying
• Expect banking, payment and travel-document logistics to be less predictable than in peacetime
• Build in significant extra time for visa and document processing
• Complete required medical and vaccination checks as early as possible

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

Sources

• https://www.moh.gov.sa/en/HealthAwareness/Pilgrims-Health/Documents/Health-Regulations-Umrah-EN.pdf
• https://allafrica.com/stories/202605180096.html
• https://spa.gov.sa/en/N2575427
• https://www.radiotamazuj.org/en/news/article/sudan-citizens-decry-high-costs-for-hajj-pilgrimage
• 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://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visa_policy_of_Saudi_Arabia
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_diplomatic_missions_of_Saudi_Arabia