NAHCON Reaffirms Saudi Arabia’s Feb. 8 Deadline for 2026 Hajj Data Capture

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s 8 February 2026 deadline for pilgrims’ data submission and group formation on the Nusuk Masar platform, describing it as a mandatory requirement set by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah for the issuance of Hajj visas for the 2026 pilgrimage.

The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah also retained 20 March 2026 as the closing date for visa processing. This was disclosed during a virtual meeting tagged Official Schedule of Operations, held on 4 February 2026, involving Hajj-participating countries and officials of the Ministry, according to Fatima Sanda Usara, Deputy Director of Information and Public Relations of NAHCON.

At the meeting, the Director of International Cooperation at the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, Abdallah Awad Alshehri, outlined mandatory conditions that must be met before pilgrims’ groupings can be approved for visa issuance.

He said the requirements include the payment of a consolidated guarantee covering all pilgrims, as well as the proper identification and payment of Hadaya contracts on the Nusuk Masar platform for pilgrims performing Hajj under the Tamattu’i and Qiran categories, except for those opting to fast. Pilgrims across the Ifrad, Tamattu’i and Qiran categories, he added, must be clearly identified on the platform.

Alshehri also noted that visa issuance now requires the conclusion of a medical services contract with an accredited Saudi Arabia-based provider. In addition, participating countries must secure a newly introduced backup accommodation booking in Makkah equivalent to one per cent of their pilgrims’ quota, to serve as an emergency contingency.

He warned that failure to complete data capture and contractual obligations before the 8 February deadline would make visa processing impossible, emphasizing that pilgrims and officials yet to be captured risk missing the 2026 Hajj.

The meeting also covered airlift arrangements and Umrah visa compliance. Saudi officials revealed that full implementation of the Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) 50:50 passenger-sharing formula between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia will commence in 2027, while a concessionary 40:60 arrangement will apply for the 2026 Hajj.