Saudi Arabia has implemented stringent medical rules for Hajj 2026, expanding their list of conditions under which sick pilgrims will be excluded and prevented from travel.
New Restrictions
Pakistan’s Ministry of Religious Affairs reports that Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Health has instructed that pilgrims suffering from serious medical problems be disallowed from performing pilgrimages next year.
List of Excluded Medical Conditions
The new regulations specify a broad range of medical conditions that make pilgrims ineligible to participate in Hajj 2026:
- Kidney Patients
- Chronic Liver and Lung Diseases
- Severe Neurological Disorders
- Psychiatric Illnesses and Weak Memory
- Pregnancy
- Infectious Diseases
- Cancer Treatments
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The Ministry has informed any pilgrim found to be medically unfit that they will be sent back immediately from Saudi Arabia without receiving assistance from authorities in covering expenses associated with their stay.
Saudi officials have also warned medical professionals who issue fitness certificates to individuals who fail to meet approved health standards, with immediate and decisive action being taken against such practitioners.
The updated list of medical conditions considered unsafe for pilgrimage includes severe neurological disorders, psychiatric illnesses, weak memory and other serious long-term health complications that pose risks during pilgrimage.
Pregnant women, individuals suffering from whooping cough, tuberculosis and viral hemorrhagic fevers as well as individuals undergoing cancer treatments are ineligible.
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Before departure, medical officers in Pakistan will have the full authority to stop anyone who fails to fulfill newly issued medical requirements from travelling.
Saudi monitoring teams will check each pilgrim’s fitness certificate upon their arrival at Hajj 2026 to ensure compliance with tightened regulations.
Pakistan’s Ministry of Religious Affairs has advised those meeting certain health standards only to register, as any violations could lead to severe penalties and even deportation proceedings.
The Ministry emphasized that its revised policy seeks to protect pilgrims’ health, ensure seamless Hajj operations, and minimize risks related to physically taxing rituals.
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Saudi Arabia implemented similar measures after recent pilgrimage seasons brought into focus the dangers that medically fragile pilgrims can encounter in extreme heat and highly congested environments.
Under new Hajj regulations, pilgrims who are sick are no longer permitted to participate; thus authorities advise applicants who apply to submit honest medical evaluations and follow all guidelines in order to prevent complications or financial losses.
