What Was Announced
On August 10, Awqaf announced that registration for the 2027 Hajj season (1448 AH) will open on September 14, 2026. The news was reported by Gulf News and Khaleej Times, which cited the authority's official statement. The announcement sets a clear timeline for the roughly two-week intake window, with applications closing on September 26, 2026, in line with the calendar published on Saudi Arabia's official Nusuk Hajj platform. The UAE's allocation for the 2026 season stood at 6,228 seats, a figure that drew about 72,000 applications, and pilgrims now expect a similarly competitive intake for 2027. The announcement follows an active period of policy change across the Gulf, including new UAE excise duty rules and Gulf airline route resumptions.
Who Is Eligible
UAE citizens and residents can apply through the official channels. Applicants typically need a valid Emirates ID and a passport that remains valid through the pilgrimage season, plus a completed health screening. Expatriate residents generally require a UAE residence visa with at least one year of validity, according to licensed Hajj operators in the country. Women travelling without a male companion should check the current mahram rules applied by their country of citizenship before applying.
How to Apply
Applications run entirely through the official digital portal at hajj.nusuk.sa, overseen by Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, with UAE pilgrims also guided by Awqaf's smart application. The process follows ten standard steps: create an account, upload documents, fill in the application, complete verification, select a preferred package, and confirm payment. Because seats are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, applicants should complete their document uploads before September 14 so they can submit the moment the window opens.
Benefits and Costs
Registering through the official platform removes the need to visit government offices and gives pilgrims direct access to verified packages from licensed operators. UAE package prices for the 2026 season ranged from roughly AED 30,000 to AED 40,000 for economy packages, AED 40,000 to AED 55,000 for standard tiers, and AED 60,000 to AED 85,000 or more for VIP arrangements, according to travel industry estimates. On the Nusuk platform, international package prices generally range from about USD 9,000 to USD 15,000 depending on duration and hotel category. Final 2027 pricing is expected after December 2026, when Saudi authorities release the official package list.
What It Means
The early announcement gives UAE pilgrims a defined planning window instead of the short-notice intakes of previous years. With demand running at more than ten times the available seats, applicants who miss the two-week window will have to wait for the 2028 season. The move also signals that Hajj and Umrah authorities are standardising registration on the Nusuk platform, a shift that also affects how other governments run citizen services, from Japan's food tax overhaul to Japan's crypto tax reform. Travel costs could also be influenced by energy prices, with Brent crude swings affecting airfares, while regional tensions around the Strait of Hormuz have affected Gulf travel this summer.
