Documents Required for Hajj and a Preparation Checklist

The documents required for Hajj are the papers that need to be prepared in full, from the registration stage right through to the airport, so that the Hajj journey gets off to a smooth start. The passport, the Hajj visa, health documents, registration and contract papers, and the ID cards you must carry with you during the journey form the core of this list. In this article, you will find what each document is for, where it is obtained and at what stage it should be prepared, together with a checklist table. Bearing in mind that document requirements can change every year, be sure to confirm the current list against the announcements of Diyanet (Türkiye’s Presidency of Religious Affairs) and your organisation.

How Do Hajj Registration and the Official Process Work?

In Türkiye, Hajj registration, registration renewal, the lottery and the organisation processes are run by Diyanet. A person who wishes to go to Hajj applies on the dates Diyanet announces each year and through the channels it specifies. The application methods, the documents required and the payment steps are explained in detail in that year’s announcement.

Those who choose a private Hajj organisation are also within the same official framework. Agencies authorised by Diyanet collect the Hajj candidate’s documents according to the procedure set by Diyanet and carry out the formalities. We discuss the differences in service between Diyanet’s organisation and private Hajj in our article on the difference between Hajj via the Diyanet lottery and private Hajj.

Which documents does Diyanet require for Hajj?

The documents required by Diyanet are specified separately in each year’s Hajj announcement. In general, they include identity details, a valid passport, a photograph, health-related documents, and the contract signed at registration along with payment documents. You can find out the current list from Diyanet’s official website or from provincial and district mufti offices.

How do you register for Hajj?

Hajj registration takes place on the dates Diyanet announces for that year and through the channels it specifies. During registration, your identity and contact details are taken; in the later stages, the lottery, document submission and payment steps are announced. After registering, following the announcements regularly and keeping your contact details up to date will ensure that you do not miss any step in the process.

Identity Card and Passport

The key document for the Hajj journey is the passport. As the Hajj visa is issued on the basis of your passport details, your passport needs to be ready from the registration stage onwards. As Saudi Arabia’s requirement on passport validity can change, check in advance that your passport will remain valid for long enough after your travel date.

• Turkish national ID card: Used in registration procedures and in all official steps within Türkiye.
• Passport: It must have sufficient validity and a blank page for the visa.
• Biometric photographs: Recent photographs that meet the size requirements for the visa and ID cards should be prepared.
• Photocopy of your passport: Keep a photocopy of your passport, and an image of it on your phone, separately.

Is a passport required for Hajj?

Yes, a valid passport is essential for the Hajj journey. The Hajj visa is issued on the basis of the passport, and entry into Saudi Arabia is made with the passport. If your passport’s remaining validity is insufficient or it is worn, start the renewal process early so that you do not face delays in the registration process.

Can you go to Hajj with a green passport?

Holders of Türkiye’s green (special) passport can also go to Hajj; however, the type of passport does not remove the requirement to obtain a Hajj visa. Hajj is performed within the framework of the special visa and permit system that Saudi Arabia has set for Hajj. For this reason, whatever type of passport you hold, visa procedures are carried out through the organisation.

The Hajj Visa and the Hajj Permit

Hajj cannot be performed with tourist or Umrah visas; Hajj candidates must travel with the visas and permits that Saudi Arabia provides for Hajj. For Hajj candidates travelling from Türkiye, Hajj visa procedures are carried out through Diyanet or through agencies authorised by Diyanet. It is generally not necessary for Hajj candidates to make a separate application themselves in this process; however, it is important that they submit the requested documents on time and in full.

In recent years, Saudi Arabia has expanded the use of digital permits and cards in Hajj and Umrah procedures. As the scope of these practices and the way they are used can change from year to year, confirm the current conditions with official sources and your travel agency before you travel.

Is a visa required for Hajj?

Yes. Hajj can only be performed with a visa and permit issued for Hajj. Attempting to take part in the Hajj rites on an Umrah visa or a tourist visa is a practice not permitted by the Saudi authorities and can lead to serious sanctions. For this reason, when setting out with the intention of Hajj, rely only on documents issued through an official Hajj organisation.

Health Documents and Vaccinations

Hajj is a physically tiring journey that takes place in crowded settings and hot weather. For this reason, health preparation is as important as preparing your documents. The vaccinations and health documents Saudi Arabia requires of Hajj candidates may change over time; you need to find out from the announcements of Türkiye’s Ministry of Health which vaccinations are compulsory or recommended.

• Vaccination card: The international vaccination card, or the relevant document, on which the vaccinations you have received are recorded.
• Medical report and prescriptions: For those with chronic conditions, up-to-date documents showing the condition and the medication being taken.
• Medication: Enough to last the whole journey, if possible in its original packaging and together with the prescriptions.
• Health information card: A small note containing your blood group, any allergies and the details of the person to contact in an emergency.

Which vaccinations are required for Hajj?

The vaccinations required for Hajj are determined according to the practices of Saudi Arabia and Türkiye’s Ministry of Health in the year concerned; we do not give a definitive list in this article. To find out which vaccinations you need and when, consult your family doctor and the Ministry of Health’s travel health centres. As vaccinations can take time to take effect, do not leave this appointment until the final weeks. For general information on the subject, you can also take a look at our article on Umrah vaccinations.

Registration, Contract and Payment Documents

The registration and contract documents form the legal framework of the Hajj organisation. These documents show which services you are receiving and on what terms. They are also the first thing you will refer to in the event of any change or cancellation.

• Hajj registration document: The document showing that your application has been received and what your registration status is.
• Organisation contract: The contract in which the accommodation, transport, catering and guidance services are set out in writing.
• Payment documents: The receipts or payment slips for all payments made.
• Programme details: Flight details, hotel names, and the contact details of the group and the group leader.

Read the cancellation and refund clauses in the contract carefully before signing. You can find the conditions that apply to RotaNur programmes on our cancellation and refund conditions page.

How much money do you need for Hajj?

Hajj costs change every year; the fees and payment timetable for Diyanet’s organisation are announced separately by Diyanet each year. On private Hajj programmes, the fee varies according to accommodation, room arrangements, programme length and the scope of services. For this reason, obtain current fee information only from official announcements and written offers. We explain how financial means affect the obligation of Hajj in our article on who Hajj is obligatory for.

Additional Documents for Special Circumstances

Some Hajj candidates may need to submit additional documents depending on their personal circumstances. The scope of these documents depends on the practices of both Diyanet and Saudi Arabia in the year concerned.

Which documents should spouses and families prepare?

In situations such as spouses staying together, female Hajj candidates travelling with a mahram, or family members being placed in the same group, documents showing the family relationship may be requested. Keeping an up-to-date copy of a civil registry extract or an official document showing marriage details to hand will make things easier. Ask your organisation at registration which documents are required.

Which documents should elderly and disabled Hajj candidates prepare?

It is important for elderly and disabled Hajj candidates, and for those with chronic conditions, to carry up-to-date documents showing their state of health and the medication they use. If a wheelchair or a companion is needed, informing the organisation at the registration stage ensures that airport and accommodation arrangements are planned accordingly. Do not neglect to get your doctor’s opinion on whether you are fit to travel.

What should you do if your name is not drawn in the lottery?

How Hajj candidates whose names are not drawn in the lottery can keep their registration for the next season, and how registration renewal is carried out, are explained in Diyanet’s announcements. To avoid missing these steps, follow the announcements regularly and get information from your mufti office.

Which documents should a person going to Hajj on someone else’s behalf prepare?

A person who will perform Hajj on someone else’s behalf must make sure that, from a religious point of view, the proxy has been clearly granted. Consult Diyanet and your organisation about the form of the proxy and the documents that may be requested in this regard. We discuss the religious conditions of this act of worship in detail in our article on what badal Hajj is.

Important: Never put your passport, visa document, group ID card or medication prescriptions in your suitcase; carry them in your hand luggage or a neck pouch. Keep photocopies of your documents, and the images on your phone, in a separate place.

Keeping Your Documents in Order at the Airport and in the Holy Lands

Carrying your documents in an organised way throughout the journey is as important as preparing them. At the airport, your passport, flight details and group ID card should be close at hand. On arrival in Saudi Arabia, passport and visa checks are carried out; at this stage, moving together as a group under the direction of the group officials speeds up the formalities.

During Hajj, passports may be collected by the organisation as a group for certain procedures. In that case, find out who is holding your passport and when it will be returned, and keep a photocopy with you. When moving between Makkah, Madinah, Mina and Arafat, always carry your group ID card and the Hajj card or permit issued by the Saudi authorities. These cards allow your identity and your group to be established quickly, both at checkpoints and in emergencies such as getting lost or having a health problem.

What should you do if your passport is lost during Hajj?

If you lose your passport, inform your group leader without delay. The organisation’s officials will guide you through steps such as notifying the Saudi authorities and obtaining an emergency travel document from Türkiye’s diplomatic missions in Saudi Arabia. A photocopy of your passport and the image on your phone make this process considerably easier.

Checklist Table of Documents Required for Hajj

The table below summarises where to obtain each document and when to prepare it during the preparation process. The list is for general information; rely on official announcements for the current requirements.

Pre-Departure Preparation Checklist

Once your documents are complete, the practical preparations for the journey follow. As Hajj is a journey lasting several weeks and spent in different cities, dividing your preparations into stages makes things easier.

1. Knowledge of the rites: Attend the Hajj seminars run by mufti offices and organisations, and learn in advance how Hajj unfolds day by day.
2. Ihram and clothing: Prepare an ihram set for men, and comfortable, modest clothing in keeping with Islamic dress for women.
3. Unscented personal care products: Choose soap, shampoo and cream that comply with the ihram restrictions.
4. Shoes and slippers: Choose comfortable shoes that you have already worn in.
5. A small backpack or neck pouch: Use it to carry your documents, phone and water with you.
6. Contact details: Write down the numbers of your group leader, your hotel and your relatives on paper as well.
7. Family and work arrangements: Settle your debts, plan for your family’s needs and make amends with your loved ones.

You can find products that will be useful on your Hajj journey on our Hajj essentials page.

What supplies do you need for Hajj?

The basic supplies for Hajj are an ihram set, an ihram belt, unscented cleaning products, comfortable shoes and slippers, an umbrella, a small prayer mat, a small pouch to keep the pebbles in, personal medication and a secure bag for carrying your documents. Choosing light and easily portable items for the days spent in the tents makes things much easier.

Preparing your documents in full is the first step towards being able to focus on your worship during the Hajj journey. At RotaNur, we are happy to answer your questions about preparing your documents and about the organisation process. You can explore the programme that suits you on our Hajj tours page, and to go through your document list together, write to us through our contact page or our WhatsApp line.

Frequently Asked Questions