Cairo, January 6, 2026: Egypt has issued a strict warning to all travel agencies providing Hajj pilgrimage services. Agencies must complete accommodation inspections and sign contracts for pilgrims' stay in Saudi Arabia by January 12, 2026. This is a key deadline set by the Chamber of Travel Agencies and Tourism Companies in Egypt. Agencies that fail to comply risk being banned from participating in the Hajj season and losing their financial security bonds. The deadline aims to align Egypt’s Hajj preparations with Saudi Arabia’s strict new logistical rules for 2026. Egypt’s government recently announced the end of free Hajj services. Instead, pilgrims must enter an official lottery to get a slot or buy paid packages—economy, mid-range, or premium—from licensed agencies. Officials made it clear: “No valid Hajj visa will be issued unless all official registration, documentation, and health requirements are met.” Industry insiders call January 12 a make-or-break date. The Chamber warned, “No exceptions will be granted for late compliance,” adding that legal actions will hit those who miss the deadline hard. This new system aims to prevent last-minute chaos and ensure pilgrim safety, marking a major shift in how Egypt manages its Hajj pilgrims. In short, Egypt’s travel sector must act fast or face severe consequences. The 2026 Hajj brings major changes: no free government trips, strict compliance for visas, and digital registration, reflecting both Saudi Arabia’s new rules and Egypt’s policy shifts. The countdown is on—miss this date, miss Hajj 2026.