JEDDAH — The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has announced the cancellation of reservations by domestic pilgrims who failed to make the payment of the second installment of the Hajj package costs before its expiry on Jan. 29. The ministry said Hajj permits will be issued to aspiring pilgrims who have made full payment through the "Absher" platform starting May 5 (Shawwal 15). The ministry said earlier that the electronic payment of the Hajj package costs is to be made through the SADAD system. The deadline for paying the second installment expired on Jan. 29 (Rajab 7) while the deadline for the third installment is April 30 (Shawwal 10). The ministry also noted that the option of partial payment of package costs is not available after Jan. 26. With regard to aspiring pilgrims whose reservations stand canceled due to nonpayment of the second installment, the ministry said they can re-book a package as long as slots are available. Reservation will be available for domestic pilgrims through the ministry's website and the Nusuk application until June 25 (Dhul Hijjah 7) or until the completion of the quota allotted for domestic pilgrims this year. According to the ministry, only Saudis who hold valid national identities or expatriates with valid residency permits (iqama) are allowed to perform the annual pilgrimage. The Ministry of Interior will issue Hajj permits to those who have completed all the required procedures, including full payment of the Hajj package costs. The applicant shall print the permit from the "Absher" platform, starting May 5. Subsequently, a text message containing the permit number will be sent to the applicant. If any applicant wants to cancel the reservation, he can follow all the details of the cancellation procedure and the policy for the refund of money from on main page of the electronic path for domestic pilgrims and choose the option for canceling reservations for domestic pilgrims for the 1444 Hajj season, the ministry added.
