In a major policy shift affecting millions of Muslim citizens, the Egyptian government has announced it will no longer provide state-funded free pilgrimage slots for the Hajj season of 1447 AH (2026). This marks the end of an era of direct government sponsorship, moving instead towards a system reliant on electronic lotteries and officially licensed paid pilgrimage packages.
Digital Lottery Replaces State Sponsorship
The Egyptian Ministry of Social Solidarity and the National Foundation for Facilitating Hajj have already conducted a public electronic lottery for the 2026 pilgrimage season. The fully digital draw, aimed at ensuring transparency, selected approximately 12,000 successful applicants from across the country's governorates. Minister Maya Morsi confirmed the results at a press conference, underscoring the lottery's new role as the primary method for Egyptians to obtain Hajj visas, replacing the old subsidized system.
This change is not sudden but part of a broader trend. Faced with significant economic strains, Egypt had previously cancelled state-funded Hajj trips for two consecutive years in 2022 and 2023. The government opted not to use public resources to underwrite pilgrimages amidst budgetary pressures, setting the stage for the current permanent reform.
Tourism Ministry Opens Registration for Paid Hajj Packages
Parallel to the lottery system, the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities has opened registration for the 2026 Hajj season through licensed tourism companies. Applications were accepted from mid-October, with results published in early November. These are fully paid pilgrim services, with no government subsidy involved.
The packages are categorized into economy, mid-range, and premier options to accommodate different budgets. Managed by officially accredited tour operators, they cover all costs from accommodation to transport. In a move to ease financial burdens, the tourism ministry even slightly reduced some package prices compared to the previous season.
New Mandatory Health Rule for Hajj Visa
Alongside the funding changes, Egyptian authorities have introduced stricter pre-travel requirements for the 2026 Hajj. The Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities has made it mandatory for all pilgrims to obtain a "Health Fitness Certificate" before they can be issued a Hajj visa.
This medical document verifies a pilgrim's physical capability to perform the demanding Hajj rituals. The visa application process for those opting for tourism packages will be put on hold until this certificate is submitted. This update aligns Egypt's procedures with Saudi Arabia's regulations, aiming to ensure orderly and safe participation in the massive annual gathering.
The bottom line is clear for Egyptian Muslims: the traditional model of free or heavily subsidized government Hajj sponsorship is over. The 2026 pilgrimage will be accessible primarily through the transparent digital lottery or via regulated, paid packages from private companies. This shift reflects Egypt's efforts to reform public spending and adapt to the logistical demands of managing one of the world's largest religious migrations.
