Saudi Arabia restricts Hajj 2026 for seriously ill pilgrims

The Saudi government has announced strict restrictions for seriously ill individuals wishing to perform Hajj 2026. Under a new policy, seriously ill pilgrims may be deported back to their home countries, with the cost of travel to be borne by the pilgrims themselves.

Sources in the Ministry of Religious Affairs added that action will be taken against doctors who issue fitness certificates to individuals who do not meet the health requirements.

According to directives from the Saudi Ministry of Health regarding medical conditions for Hajj 2026, patients with kidney diseases or those undergoing dialysis will not be permitted to perform the pilgrimage.

Similarly, individuals with heart conditions that limit physical activity, advanced lung or liver diseases, and severe neurological or psychiatric illnesses—including memory impairment, dementia, or severe disabilities—will also be restricted.

Additionally, elderly individuals with serious age-related health conditions, such as Alzheimer’s disease or epilepsy, will be barred from performing Hajj.

Pregnant women, as well as patients suffering from contagious diseases such as whooping cough, tuberculosis, or viral hemorrhagic fevers, will likewise not be allowed to participate in Hajj 2026.

Cancer patients have also been declared ineligible for Hajj. Medical officers will be authorised to prevent such individuals from travelling before departure.

Monitoring teams deployed by Saudi authorities will assess and verify the authenticity of each pilgrim’s fitness certificate.