All 900 slots for Singaporeans for 2026 haj pilgrimage filled; more places for elderly

The haj is the major Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca and represents the fifth pillar of Islam. Muslims must undertake the journey at least once if they are physically and financially able to.

It is performed over about a week only once a year, during Zulhijjah – the 12th month of the Islamic calendar – and involves intense rituals such as circumambulating the Kaaba (a shrine located near the centre of the Great Mosque of Mecca, the holiest site in Islam), running between hills, and stoning pillars.

Over the last 20 years – aside from 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic – about two million Muslims from around the world perform the haj each year, with a record 3.16 million making the journey in 2012.

Associate Professor Faishal Ibrahim, Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs and Senior Minister of State for Home Affairs, said the successful allocation of slots reflects the collective commitment to ensure a fair, transparent and compassionate process for Singaporean pilgrims.

“MUIS will continue to work closely with our partners and the Saudi authorities to ensure that our pilgrims are well prepared financially, physically, mentally and spiritually for this sacred journey, as we strive to fulfil our community’s aspirations,” he added.

Applicants who did not receive an offer in this allocation exercise will remain on the waiting list until March 20, which is the closing date for the haj visa processing. Any slots that become available before the closing date will be filled by the next eligible applicant on the waiting list.

Those who do not hear from MUIS via the MyHajSG portal after March 20 can assume that there are no more available slots for haj.

There are about 65,000 people currently in line.

MUIS said it understands the aspirations of applicants waiting to perform the haj, and that it will continue to explore solutions to address this.

On Jan 13, then Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Masagos Zulkifli

after a meeting with Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah Tawfiq Fawzan Al-Rabiah in Jeddah.

He said Singapore had asked for additional slots and that the Saudi authorities had said they will consider this.