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The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has officially inaugurated the "Package Preference Phase" for the 1447 AH – 2026 Hajj season, a digital-first strategy designed to streamline the pilgrimage for the United Kingdom, United States, and Europe. This phase, hosted exclusively on the Nusuk Hajj platform, marks a departure from previous years by allowing prospective pilgrims to shortlist their top five service packages before the final booking window opens. This move is intended to provide a transparent look at the evolving costs and logistical structures of the Direct Hajj Program.
The Great Transit Shift: Mandatory Route for Bangladeshi Expats
A critical update has been issued for the millions of Bangladeshi nationals residing in the West. If you are planning to perform Hajj 2026 using your Bangladeshi passport to access the country’s national quota, you are now legally mandated to depart from Bangladesh. Under new coordination between the Saudi Ministry and the Dhaka Hajj Office, "Direct-to-Jeddah" flights from London or New York are no longer permitted for those on the Bangladeshi quota. Pilgrims must fly to Dhaka or Sylhet first to undergo mandatory biometric verification and receive their government-issued "Hajj Clearance" certificates. Bypassing this route will result in an automatic visa cancellation, as the Saudi "Nusuk Masar" system now requires a digital "handshake" from the Bangladeshi Ministry of Religious Affairs at the point of departure.
The Cost of Devotion: Navigating 2026 Pricing Tiers
Financial planning for 2026 requires careful consideration of the two primary package types: Shifting and Non-Shifting. For pilgrims in the UK and USA, economy-tier Shifting packages—where accommodation moves from central Makkah to the suburbs during the peak Hajj days—are estimated to start around £5,700 or $9,000. In contrast, Premium Non-Shifting packages, which offer consistent five-star hotel access near the Haram, can exceed £11,500 or $14,500. Those opting for the Bangladeshi route may find lower base prices, often ranging between $5,500 and $7,000, but these savings are frequently offset by the additional costs of international flights to Dhaka and the required 10-day stay in Bangladesh for pre-travel processing.
Extreme Heat and Health Barricades
The 2026 pilgrimage is expected to take place in late May, a period when Makkah typically sees daytime temperatures soaring to 40°C (104°F) with extreme UV indices. In response to these harsh conditions, Saudi authorities have banned individuals with specific medical conditions from participating. These include advanced kidney disease requiring dialysis, severe heart failure, chronic respiratory illnesses requiring oxygen, and late-stage cancer. Furthermore, women who are more than 28 weeks pregnant are ineligible. All pilgrims must now secure a "Medical Fitness Certificate" from an authorized facility—VFS Global centers in the UK and USA, or government hospitals in Bangladesh—to even begin the visa process.
Strategic Roadmap: The Hajj 2026 Essential Checklist
To ensure a successful application, pilgrims should first verify their document status. Your passport must be valid until at least January 2027. Once confirmed, you must create or update your profile on the Nusuk Hajj website, ensuring all family members are linked under a single "Group Leader" account to prevent being separated during the automated selection process. Following this, you must participate in the "Preference Phase" by selecting five packages that fit your budget and physical needs.
For Bangladeshi expats, the checklist includes an additional layer: you must complete your pre-registration via the "Hajj PRMP" portal using your National ID (NID). After the initial deposit, you must schedule your biometric enrollment at a VFS Global center if you are in the UK/USA, or at the regional Hajj offices in Bangladesh if you are already in the country. Finally, ensure you have received the mandatory quadrivalent meningococcal and seasonal influenza vaccinations at least ten days before your scheduled departure from Dhaka.
Expert Advice for a Seamless Journey
Pilgrims are strongly advised to distinguish between the Nusuk App (used for Umrah and Rawdah permits) and the Nusuk Website (the only portal for Hajj registration). Using the wrong platform is a common error that leads to missed deadlines. Additionally, with the 2026 weather forecast predicting extreme heat, selecting a package that offers "Maktab Category A" in Mina is recommended for those with elderly family members, as these camps provide superior cooling and proximity to the Jamarat.
