Saudi Arabia has announced new health regulations for the 1447H / 2026M Hajj season that bar individuals with chronic illnesses from performing the pilgrimage. The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah now requires all pilgrims to be free from serious or uncontrolled health conditions and physically able to perform Hajj independently.
The new rules disqualify those with kidney failure, heart failure or major heart disease, chronic lung or liver disease, neurological or mental disorders affecting cognitive or motor function, dementia, frailty, cancer under treatment, high-risk pregnancies, and active infectious diseases.
Authorities have stated that good health is a condition of istito‘ah i.e. the ability to perform Hajj. Pilgrims must now pass a medical examination certified by their national health ministries before being granted a Hajj visa. This marks a shift from previous years when health screenings were used for planning purposes rather than visa eligibility.
Saudi officials say the regulations are designed to ensure the safety and well-being of pilgrims during the demanding pilgrimage, which takes place under harsh weather conditions. However, the new rules may exclude many elderly and chronically ill Muslims worldwide who previously performed Hajj with medical supervision.
The new framework signals a stricter, health-focused approach to managing the world’s largest annual religious gathering.