Saudi Arabia has announced new steps to make the Hajj journey smoother for millions of Muslims in 2026. One of the key changes is the introduction of a temporary housing license system for properties in Makkah and Madinah.
The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah confirmed that this initiative has been developed with support from the tourism and housing ministries.
Through this setup, property owners will be able to rent out their spaces to pilgrims with official seasonal approval. This will increase the number of available rooms during the busy Hajj period while also maintaining safety standards.
To simplify the process, all applications will go through the Nusuk Masar platform and the Ministry of Tourism’s digital portal.
Authorities explained that this online system will make booking easier, reduce mismanagement and give pilgrims more reliable housing choices. Hotels that already have year-round tourism licenses will continue to operate as usual.
For Pakistan, the announcement is seen as a blessing. Each year, thousands of families prepare for Hajj, but finding suitable accommodation is often a major challenge. In 2025, Pakistan sent around 189,000 pilgrims and the government is now negotiating for a bigger quota of 255,000 for 2026.
Officials in Islamabad are also looking into cost-cutting measures, including the possible revival of Hajj by sea travel and expanding Saudi Arabia’s “Road to Makkah” facility to additional airports. Both steps are expected to make the journey easier for elderly and first-time pilgrims.
With these changes, Saudi Arabia aims to create a more comfortable, safe and organized Hajj experience for everyone.
