162,000 Hajj Pilgrim Visa Documents Processed, Target Completion Early March

Jakarta — Indonesia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has stated that 162,000 hajj pilgrim visa documents have been successfully processed, with approximately 40,000 remaining documents currently under finalisation.

“The visa processing team comprising 85 personnel are working intensively around the clock to ensure all documents are completed on schedule,” said Ian Heriyawan, Director General of Hajj Services at the Ministry, in a press statement on Friday (27 February 2026).

Ian has set a target for completion of the entire visa processing by early March, or at least one week before Eid al-Fitr. Despite the around-the-clock work schedule, Ian noted that the visa team are pleased given the opportunity to balance their duties with religious observance during Ramadan.

“The team members are actually happy about it. Usually after Taraweeh prayers, they continue working until pre-dawn meal time. I have been accompanying them to ensure everything runs smoothly,” said Ian.

However, Ian acknowledged that several challenges must be addressed during the visa processing, particularly regarding system connectivity with Saudi Arabia.

“The main challenge is technical connectivity with Saudi Arabia and synchronisation of service packaging, as this is crucial for ensuring certainty of pilgrim accommodation during their stay,” he explained.

Ian added that requests from prospective hajj pilgrims for quota transfers or changes have also posed difficulties. Consequently, the Ministry has restricted the quota transfer process over the past two weeks to maintain the stability of the quotas already established.

“We have limited the quota transfer process for the past two weeks to preserve the stability of the quota composition that has already been formed,” he said.