Hajj from Yemen: how the national system works
Yemenis get Hajj places through Ministry of Endowments and Guidance (Yemen), through its Hajj and Umrah affairs office and approved organisers, against a quota of 10,981. Registration, timeline, costs, health documents, embassy and flights, checked against official and national sources.
How Hajj registration works in Yemen
Yemen's Hajj administration is complicated by the country's ongoing conflict, with authority effectively split between the internationally recognized government and Houthi (Ansar Allah) authorities controlling different parts of the country, including the capital Sana'a. In practice, Yemenis typically register through licensed Hajj offices operating in their area, and both administrations have at times separately coordinated with Saudi Arabia on travel logistics for pilgrims from the territory they control. Reporting on a single, consistent national registration process is limited given the divided administration, so intending pilgrims should confirm current arrangements directly with a licensed local Hajj office rather than assume a unified national system. 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.
In 1447 H / 2026 the Ministry reported more than 12,500 Yemeni pilgrims arriving by early May: most crossed by land, others flew directly from Sana'a and Aden, and some travelled from abroad. The Ministry publishes an annual list of approved Hajj organisers and package prices; book only with an organiser on that list.
Step by step
- Register with Ministry of Endowments and Guidance 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 Ministry of Endowments and Guidance (Yemen), through its Hajj and Umrah affairs office and approved organisers; 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 Yemen
A reliable, current published package cost in Yemeni rial was not found in available sourcing, and the divided administration and currency situation (with different exchange rates in different parts of the country) make a single cost figure unreliable. We point prospective pilgrims to a licensed local Hajj office's current pricing or 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 Yemen, and whether meals and internal transport are bundled. See Hajj budgeting and shifting versus non-shifting packages.
Umrah from Yemen while you wait
Yemen is not on the Saudi eVisa list, so Umrah is booked through a licensed company with a Nusuk booking. Two extra health rules apply: the Saudi Ministry of Health lists Yemen among countries whose travellers must show at least one IPV dose (or a type 2 containing OPV), and travellers from Yemen must present a certificate of completed health observation for cholera covering at least 10 days before travel.
Vaccines and health documents for Hajj and Umrah from Yemen
These are the Saudi Ministry of Health requirements for Umrah travellers in the 1447 H (2026) edition, read for Yemen 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 Yemen |
|---|---|
| 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 | Required. Travellers from Yemen need at least one dose of IPV regardless of age; if IPV is not available, a certificate showing a type 2 containing oral polio vaccine (including novel OPV2) is accepted. |
| Yellow fever | Not required for travellers arriving from Yemen. It applies only if you arrive from a listed yellow fever country. |
| Cholera | Required. Travellers from Yemen must present a certificate of completed health observation from the official health authority, covering at least 10 days before travel. |
| 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.
Flying to Jeddah or Madinah from Yemen
Saudia no longer lists Yemeni routes. In 2026 Hajj pilgrims flew from Sana'a and Aden on arranged flights or crossed by land; Umrah pilgrims usually fly Yemenia or connect through a Gulf hub.
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. Yemen 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 Hajj office licensed by the authority controlling your area
- Confirm current travel and visa logistics directly, given the divided administration
- Expect banking and currency conditions to differ depending on your region
- Build in significant extra time for travel-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
Can Yemenis register for Hajj on Nusuk directly?
No. Yemen is not on the Nusuk direct list; Hajj places come through Ministry of Endowments and Guidance (Yemen), through its Hajj and Umrah affairs office and approved organisers.
What is Yemen's Hajj quota?
10,981 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 Yemen?
A reliable, current published package cost in Yemeni rial was not found in available sourcing, and the divided administration and currency situation (with different exchange rates in different parts of the country) make a single cost figure unreliable. We point prospective pilgrims to a licensed local Hajj office's current pricing or 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. Use the cost calculator for a planning range.
Which vaccines do Yemenis need for Hajj?
Meningococcal ACYW, polio and cholera observation certificate. The health table on this page gives the Saudi Ministry of Health rule for Yemen; the Hajj circular is issued separately each season.
Can Yemenis do Umrah while waiting?
Yes, through a licensed Umrah operator with a Nusuk booking; Umrah has no quota.
Sources
- https://www.moh.gov.sa/en/HealthAwareness/Pilgrims-Health/Documents/Health-Regulations-Umrah-EN.pdf
- https://www.yemenmonitor.com/en/Details/ArtMID/908/ArticleID/171454
- https://www.yemenmonitor.com/en/Details/ArtMID/908/ArticleID/152740
- 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