RIYADH: The Saudi government has prohibited a person with heart disease and some other specified medical conditions from performing Hajj 2026. There is also a ban on illegal immigrants or a deportation policy for those who are unfit.
The Ministry of Religious Affairs and Islamic Endowments stated that anyone with a serious health condition who manages to get to the Hajj will be sent back to their country of origin, and their travel expenses will be at their own cost. In addition, the authorities point out that if any doctor is found giving out fake health certificates, legal proceedings will be initiated against him.
With the new health and safety measures implemented by the Ministry of Health in Saudi Arabia, there will be severe medical limitations on Hajj 2026.
The ministry further stated that:
Patients undergoing dialysis will not receive a Hajj visa.
Those suffering from heart diseases and who are not able to tolerate physical activities will be taken off the list of participants.
Individuals with respiratory or hepatic disorders will also be barred from the event.
Those who are suffering from severe neurological or psychological disorders such as memory loss, being seriously disabled or having dementia are also excluded from the list of participants.
The restriction also covers the extremely aged individuals as well as those who are suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and general age-related weakness severely.
Pregnant women as well as individuals with whooping cough, tuberculosis, or viral hemorrhagic fever are not allowed to Hajj 2026.
The ban was extended to cancer patients as well.
Moreover, the Ministry of Religious Affairs stated that medical officers authorized to stop unfit pilgrims from traveling for Hajj can do so even before departure.
Saudi authorities will have surveillance personnel checking on the ground to ensure that the fitness certificates they issue to pilgrims are genuine. Only those individuals who satisfy the minimum health requirements will be given the go-ahead to proceed for Hajj.
