The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah in Saudi Arabia has introduced a fresh licensing framework for pilgrim lodgings in Makkah and Madinah for the upcoming 2026 hajj season. Under this initiative, licenses will be granted through a new temporary hostel licensing service, developed in partnership with the Ministry of Tourism and the Ministry of Municipalities and Housing, as reported by Saudi media outlets.
To be eligible for leasing pilgrim lodgings, applicants are required to register through the Nusuk Masar platform. The licenses need to be secured via the Ministry of Tourism’s online platform, following the specified criteria, before the application deadline on February 1, 2026. Notably, this process excludes hotels that already possess year-round licenses from the Ministry of Tourism.
The primary objective of the temporary hostel licensing system is to elevate service standards, simplify reservation processes, and enrich the hajj pilgrimage experience in the sacred locations of Makkah and Madinah. This innovative system is structured to enhance service quality by issuing seasonal licenses that comply with regulatory guidelines.
Moreover, it aims to seamlessly integrate licensed lodgings with the Nusuk platform to facilitate coordinated bookings, increase hospitality capacity during hajj, and ensure a secure and well-organized pilgrimage experience for the pilgrims through the electronic licensing framework.