New Rules Set for Egypt’s 2027 Tourist Hajj Season

New regulations have been approved for Egypt’s 1448 AH/2027 tourist Hajj season, introducing binding service contracts, digital journey monitoring and tighter rules for accommodation, transport and pilgrim protections.

Tourism companies must register pilgrims on the Rafiq app and create accounts for them when contracts are signed. Pilgrims will upload contracts and receipts, submit complaints, evaluate services and track key stages of the journey, while illnesses, deaths and missing-person cases can be reported immediately.

Pilgrim assessments will now count towards company performance ratings, making up 20% of the score, alongside company performance at 50% and supervisors at 30%.

Contracts must clearly list additional services and prices, while companies cannot change accommodation or holy-site services without ministry approval. Accommodation in Makkah must be within 4,000 metres of the Grand Mosque.

Overland Hajj buses must be from 2023 or newer, carry at least 40 passengers and include tracking devices, speed limiters, two medically cleared drivers, first-aid kits and emergency equipment.

Registration through licensed tourism companies opens on September 4th and runs until September 27th through the Egyptian Unified Hajj Portal. The electronic lottery is scheduled for September 30th.