Manama: The Supreme Committee for Hajj and Umrah Affairs has announced that applications for Hajj tour operators for the 1447H (2026) season will be open from Thursday, July 10, to August 1, 2025. This initiative is part of the early preparations aligning with the timeline established by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah in Saudi Arabia.
According to Bahrain News Agency, online registration for Bahraini pilgrims wishing to perform Hajj will commence at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, and will close at midnight on Tuesday, September 16, 2025. The registration process will be conducted through the official electronic key on the designated website.
During its meeting, the committee approved the organisational plan for the upcoming Hajj season. The plan was developed after a comprehensive review of field evaluations, pilgrim feedback, and proposals from tour operators during the previous season.
The committee stated that these steps aim to maintain the positive outcomes achieved in the past season and enhance the services provided to Bahraini pilgrims. It also stressed the importance of maintaining transparency and competitiveness throughout all procedures.
To improve the registration process, the committee introduced a new stage in the selection mechanism. Initially, applicants will register electronically without selecting a specific tour operator. Qualified registrants will be shortlisted based on priority criteria and within Bahrain's allocated quota. Subsequently, these individuals will be allowed to contact tour operators, review available packages and prices, and select the most suitable option once a separate deadline is announced. This phased approach is intended to give tour operators sufficient time for marketing while allowing pilgrims greater flexibility in selecting their preferred tour operator.
Tour operators are required to complete the designated application form and submit it in accordance with specified conditions and criteria. Each operator must specify the number of pilgrims it intends to serve, with a minimum of 90 and a maximum of 800 pilgrims.
Organisers must also submit a security deposit cheque as outlined in Circular (1) issued by the Supreme Committee for Hajj and Umrah Affairs. The committee emphasized that no tour operator may advertise its packages or pricing before receiving official approval to operate. Each application will be reviewed to ensure it meets all requirements and that documents are accurate before issuing acceptance or rejection notifications.
Additionally, every tour operator must have a fully equipped, approved office registered with the Ministry of Justice, Islamic Affairs and Waqf. The committee also prohibited the use of unofficial registration links outside the designated Hajj registration platform.