Key Dates for the Implementation of Indonesian Hajj Pilgrims' Journey in 2026

The organisation of the Hajj pilgrimage for 1447 Hijriah or 2026 CE for prospective pilgrims from Indonesia will begin in less than a week.

Indonesia’s Minister of Religious Affairs, M Irfan Yusuf, stated that Hajj operations will start on 21 April next week.

“Hajj pilgrimage operations for 2026 begin on 21 April with the first wave of pilgrims entering the hostels,” he said, affectionately known as Gus Irfan, during a press conference at the Bina Graha Building, Presidential Palace Complex, Jakarta, on Wednesday (15/4).

After entering the hostels, he mentioned that the departure of the first batch is expected to take place the following day on 22 April.

The departure of the last batch is scheduled for 21 May 2026.

“Departures are expected from 22 April until the last one on 21 May,” he said.

Meanwhile, the return schedule for Indonesian Hajj pilgrims begins on 1 June and ends one month later on 1 July.

“The peak of the Hajj is estimated for 25-26 April in Arafah,” he said.

In addition, Gus Irfan stated that preparations for services for Indonesian Hajj pilgrims are nearly 100% complete.

He explained that the current stage involves final checks of all Hajj service operations.

To save time on immigration checks in Saudi Arabia, Gus Irfan mentioned that four airports will use a fast-track system for 2026 Hajj pilgrims.

He said the fast track applies to four airports: Soekarno-Hatta, Solo, Juanda in Surabaya, and Makassar.

“What is meant by fast track is that Saudi immigration checks are conducted in Indonesia. So when they arrive in Saudi Arabia, pilgrims can directly exit the airport to the bus without further checks at the Saudi airport,” he said.

At the same time, he also reminded that no Indonesian citizens should attempt to go on Hajj using a non-Hajj visa.

Gus Irfan conveyed that this year, the Saudi government will be stricter in monitoring this.

He mentioned that Saudi Arabia will be more stringent in checks for entering its territory.

Gus Irfan admitted to receiving reports from immigration authorities that last year, around a thousand people were detained in Jeddah for not using Hajj visas.

He also mentioned that last year, many people who had already entered Saudi Arabia but could not enter Mecca because they did not have Hajj visas.

“They only had pilgrimage visas or work visas,” said Gus Irfan.