Visa Delays Overcome: Hajj Media Personnel Set to Depart Today

The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah of the Republic of Indonesia (Kemenhaj) has assured that all Hajj personnel under the Hajj Media Center (MCH) can depart according to schedule. Previously, those tasked with covering the 1447 H/2026 M Hajj pilgrimage faced visa obstacles.

Deputy Minister for Hajj and Umrah Dahnil Anzar Simanjuntak explained that visa issues arise almost every year, primarily due to administrative processes from Saudi Arabian authorities.

“Usually, there is a screening process, administrative problems, and so on,” said Deputy Minister Dahnil after seeing off 460 members of the Hajj Organising Committee (PPIH) for the Madinah Operational Area at the Pondok Gede Hajj Hostel in East Jakarta on Friday (17/4/2026).

He acknowledged that previously, around 40 journalists had not yet received their Hajj visas. After the visas were issued, there were cancellations due to sectoral administrative issues.

“The sectoral administration I mean is a request from the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Information for further verification,” Dahnil stated.

Nevertheless, he assured that all such problems have now been resolved. Based on the latest report he received from the Hajj Affairs Office in Saudi Arabia, all MCH Hajj personnel visas are now complete.

“But as of last night (Thursday, 16/4/2026), the visas for those 40 people are settled. So, fellow journalists who are about to depart need not worry,” Dahnil said.

With the process completed, the media personnel are confirmed to depart soon to carry out their coverage duties for this year’s Hajj.

The first wave of departures for the Madinah operational area Hajj personnel consists of the Hajj Pilgrim Protection PPIH (Linjam) and MCH. Meanwhile, the second wave, scheduled for departure on Saturday (18/6/2026), mainly comprises PPIH for consumption and accommodation sectors.