Saudi Arabia Bans Pilgrims with Health Conditions from 2026 Haj

According to a notice published on the Saudi Ministry of Religious Affairs website in late 2025, the Saudi government has imposed significant health restrictions on Haj pilgrims for the 2026 pilgrimage season. The notice, citing the Saudi health ministry, lists a range of medical conditions that will prevent individuals from performing the Haj next year.

These include organ failure such as kidney diseases requiring dialysis, heart diseases where patients cannot handle even slight exertion, chronic lung disease requiring oxygen, and liver failure or cirrhosis. The restrictions also extend to those suffering from neurological or cognitive disorders, severe physical disabilities, and advanced-stage cancer patients undergoing treatment.

Furthermore, the Saudi authorities will bar individuals with infectious diseases that pose a risk to large gatherings, such as whooping cough, open pulmonary tuberculosis, and viral hemorrhagic fever. Pregnant women in their final trimester and those with complications will also face restrictions.

The religious affairs ministry in Pakistan has urged doctors to thoroughly verify the health status of pilgrims and issue accurate certificates. Any false or incorrect declarations about a pilgrim's health could result in them being sent back from Saudi Arabia at their own expense.

The Saudi monitoring teams will closely scrutinize the validity of the pilgrims' fitness certificates at entry and exit points, as well as during the Haj rituals, to ensure that only those meeting the strict health criteria are allowed to participate in the pilgrimage.