Hajj 2026: UAE enhances pilgrim services with new system
Strict accreditation aligned with Saudi quota rules
DUBAI: The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has launched a new system for selecting and accrediting Hajj campaigns ahead of the 1447H (2026) pilgrimage season.
The move aims to raise service quality, improve organisation, and ensure a better experience for pilgrims.
Announced by the General Authority of Islamic Affairs, Endowments and Zakat, the system sets out clear criteria that campaigns must meet to qualify. These include service quality benchmarks, financial stability, administrative capacity, and prior performance in the 1446H (2025) season.
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Officials said the framework is part of broader efforts to strengthen Hajj operations in the country and promote competitiveness among service providers. It also ensures all operators strictly follow approved timelines and procedures.
Key accreditation conditions
Campaign organisers were briefed during a coordination meeting on how the new system will work. The authority emphasised that services must meet the expectations of UAE pilgrims while balancing affordability with quality.
The selection process will prioritise campaigns that offer tailored service packages for different categories of pilgrims, according to the authority.
In line with the Saudi Arabia quota system, only accredited operators are permitted to organise Hajj trips. The UAE has been aligning its approval process accordingly in recent years.
Ongoing reforms continue
Authorities have introduced several reforms over past Hajj seasons, including digital tracking systems and post-Hajj performance reviews, in response to complaints about disorganisation.
For most pilgrims, joining an approved campaign remains the only legal and practical way to perform Hajj, making these improvements essential to their journey.