Saudi authorities have announced new health-based eligibility restrictions for Haj 2026, barring pilgrims with a range of chronic, infectious and advanced medical conditions from undertaking the annual pilgrimage. The guidelines, published on Pakistan’s Ministry of Religious Affairs website and attributed to Saudi Arabia’s health ministry, aim to safeguard public health during one of the world’s largest mass gatherings.
According to the notice, individuals with organ failure — including kidney patients requiring dialysis — will not be permitted to travel for Haj. Restrictions also apply to those with severe heart disease who cannot tolerate even mild physical exertion, chronic lung conditions requiring intermittent or continuous oxygen support, and advanced liver failure or cirrhosis.
The notice lists organ failure such as kidney diseases requiring dialysis, heart diseases in cases where patients are incapable of slight exertion and chronic lung disease as conditions that do not meet the criteria for Haj.https://t.co/7NmxKme0Jn
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The Saudi guidelines further exclude individuals suffering from neurological or cognitive disorders affecting memory, such as dementia. Those with severe physical disabilities, as well as older adults with conditions like Alzheimer’s or debilitating tremors, will also be barred. Pregnant women in their final trimester and those experiencing high-risk or complicated pregnancies have similarly been deemed unfit for the pilgrimage.
Pilgrims with infectious diseases that pose a heightened risk in crowded environments — including whooping cough, open pulmonary tuberculosis and viral haemorrhagic fevers — will not be allowed to participate. Additionally, cancer patients in advanced stages undergoing chemotherapy, biological therapies or radiological treatment are included in the list of restricted individuals.
In response, Pakistan’s Ministry of Religious Affairs has urged healthcare providers to ensure thorough medical assessments before issuing fitness certificates. The ministry warned that submitting false or inaccurate health declarations could lead to legal consequences, as well as the pilgrim being deported from Saudi Arabia at their own expense.
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Medical officers stationed at Haj camps in Pakistan will be authorised to stop individuals from travelling if any of the restricted conditions are detected during pre-departure vaccinations or screenings. According to the notice, Saudi monitoring teams will also verify the authenticity of medical fitness certificates at airports, entry points and designated Haj sites to ensure compliance.
The measures reflect ongoing efforts by Saudi Arabia to maintain health and safety standards amid large-scale pilgrim influxes, particularly given the physical demands of the Haj rituals and the public health risks associated with mass gatherings.
