RIYADH — The deadline for the payment of the second installment of the domestic package costs for the forthcoming annual pilgrimage of Hajj is Sunday, Jan. 29, corresponding to Rajab 7. The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah stressed the need for citizens and expatriates to complete the payment of the three installments to ensure confirmation of their reservation and the issuance of the Hajj permit. It is noteworthy that the ministry introduced this year two methods for the payment of Hajj package costs for the domestic pilgrims. The first is to pay the fees in full once the reservation is made, and once the invoice is issued for the payment, the status of the reservation becomes "confirmed." The second method is to pay the fees in three installments. The ministry had announced earlier this month that domestic pilgrims have the option of paying the Hajj package costs in three installments, instead of paying the full amount in one go, as was the case during previous years. The ministry noted that the reservation is confirmed for all who register successfully, and all payments must be paid on time. Prospective pilgrims were able to make a partial payment of 20 percent of the total cost to reserve their place. The option was to make the down payment within 72 hours of the registration date. The second installment, which is 40 percent, must be paid no later than Rajab 7, while the remaining 40 percent can be paid until April 30 (Shawwal 10, 1444). The ministry indicated that a payment invoice will be issued for each payment separately, and that the reservation will be canceled in the event of failure to make the full payments. The ministry opened registration for domestic Hajj pilgrims on Jan. 5 with the price of packages beginning at SR3,984. The ministry received applications through its website and via the Nusuk application. The ministry announced a total of four packages for domestic pilgrims. The first package costs from 10,596 to 11,841; the second from 8,092 to 8,458; the third costs 13,150 and the fourth package, which provides economical services to the pilgrims, costs SR3,984.
