Hajj 2025: New regulations, higher prices, warnings against scams

According to the announcement, pilgrims will be flown to the city of Medina from international airports in Tashkent, Samarkand, Namangan, Karshi, Termez, Navoi, Urgench, and Nukus. During this phase, a total of 6,267 pilgrims are expected to depart for the Hajj pilgrimage.

Return flights from Jeddah to various cities in Uzbekistan are scheduled between June 12 and 29, with 15,150 pilgrims expected to return during this stage.

Uzbekistan Airways says it is taking all necessary measures to ensure safe, comfortable, and efficient transport for pilgrims.

The Hajj season in Uzbekistan officially begins on May 13, 2025.

Uzbekistan tripled its Hajj quota in recent years

Chairman of the Muslim Board of Uzbekistan, Mufti Nuriddin Kholiqnazarov, previously stated that the country’s Hajj quota has tripled in recent years, allowing 15,000 Uzbek citizens to perform Hajj annually. The number of Umrah pilgrims has reached several hundred thousand, and the conditions, services, and respect shown toward them are steadily improving. In the 2024 Hajj season, 15,150 pilgrims from Uzbekistan performed the pilgrimage.

According to regulations issued by Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Health, all Hajj pilgrims must be vaccinated against meningitis. Uzbekistan’s Sanitary and Epidemiological Committee has also recommended vaccination to prevent the importation of infectious diseases and maintain epidemiological stability in the country.

How have prices changed?

In 2019, the cost for one person from Uzbekistan to perform Hajj was 33.3 million UZS (approximately $3,879 at the time). Following the pandemic, the price nearly doubled, reaching 62.9 million UZS in 2022. The Muslim Board attributed this spike to new taxes and mandatory fees introduced by the Saudi government, as well as a sharp increase in transportation and service costs.

Prices continued to rise: 68.76 million UZS in 2023 and 73.97 million UZS in 2024. For the 2025 Hajj season, Uzbek pilgrims will pay 78.67 million UZS.

What’s included in the Hajj package?

The full Hajj package includes:

• Hajj visa;
• Direct flight to Medina;
• Accommodation at “Zam-Zam Pullman” and “Crowne Plaza” hotels in Medina, and “Abroj al-Hidaya” hotel in Mecca;
• Intercity transport (Medina–Mecca–Jeddah);
• Pilgrims' medical insurance;
• Three hot meals daily (breakfast, lunch, dinner);
• Visits to Mount Uhud, Quba Mosque, and the Mosque of the Two Qiblas in Medina;
• All services in Mina, Arafat, and Muzdalifah valleys in Mecca;
• 24/7 medical and transport services;
• Sacrificial offering (Qurbani);
• Five liters of Zamzam water;
• Assistance with send-off and welcome procedures in 7 regions of Uzbekistan;
• Hajj travel kit, including a vest and bag with national symbols;
• Hajj guidebook.

Fraudulent activities around Hajj travel

A man in Tashkent was recently arrested for taking $23,600 from four individuals, promising to arrange their Hajj trip. According to the Committee for Religious Affairs, 31 tourist firms were found to be offering Umrah services illegally – without proper licenses – over the past two months. Criminal cases have been initiated against those responsible. The committee urged citizens to avoid dealing with unlicensed travel firms or agents.

Regulation of Umrah services in Uzbekistan

In July 2024, the organization and conduct of Umrah travel in Uzbekistan was officially classified as a licensed activity. A government resolution introduced specific licensing requirements. Businesses offering Umrah services without a license face fines of up to 200 times the basic calculation amount (currently 75 million UZS) for legal entities.