Makkah Route Speeds Up Hajj Pilgrims' Mobility
REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA – The Head of the Immigration Office (Kakanim) Class I Special for the Immigration Examination Area of Soekarno-Hatta Airport (Soetta), Galih Priya Kartika Perdhana, stated that the Makkah Route service can accelerate the immigration process for prospective hajj pilgrims.
Galih, when met in Tangerang, Banten, on Sunday (17/5/2026), explained that with this service, pilgrims no longer need to queue for a long time to undergo passport and visa checks upon arrival in Saudi Arabia.
“I believe there is a significant difference (in the duration of immigration checks without the Makkah Route). When we have to face long queues, firstly it is exhausting physically, and secondly mentally,” he said.
In Indonesia, the Makkah Route service is available at four international airports: Soetta Airport, Juanda Surabaya Airport, Adi Soemarmo Solo Airport, and Sultan Hasanuddin Makassar Airport.
Galih said that Kanim Soetta provides ten Makkah Route counters. At each counter, immigration officers from Saudi Arabia directly check the immigration documents of Indonesian pilgrims.
“What should have been the immigration clearance process from Saudi Arabia conducted in Saudi Arabia is now being carried out at Soekarno-Hatta Airport,” he said.
The service aims to accelerate the mobility of prospective hajj pilgrims. Passport and visa checks are carried out in Indonesia so that upon arrival in the holy land, pilgrims can immediately focus on worship.
“The hope is, firstly, that the state is present; secondly, to provide process efficiency and ensure that hajj pilgrims are no longer burdened with clearance (checks) later in Saudi Arabia,” he said.
For this year, Kanim Soetta is targeted to serve 35,285 prospective hajj pilgrims from three embarkation points, namely Pondok Gede, Bekasi, and Cipondoh. As of Sunday, as many as 30,000 pilgrims have been served through the Makkah Route. The Kakanim explained that the 30,000 pilgrims who have been served were counted from the first departure on April 22, 2026. The last departure is scheduled for May 21, 2026.