The Ministry of Haj has announced that the budget Haj program for domestic pilgrims which comes into effect this pilgrimage season will provide packages costing between SR1,900 and SR3,900, depending on the category of operator and its location. The ministry also said it would help in the advertisement and promotion of the approximately 30 Haj and Umrah operators who have registered in the program, whose area allocation will also be increased by 10 percent. According to the ministry, registered operators who maintain an unblemished record for a period of three years will win the right to apply for a 10 percent increase in the number of their pilgrims upon license renewal. Operators providing faultless services will also be given priority when allocating locations at the Mina holy site. The Ministry of Haj added that the low-cost program permits operators to hire up to 90 percent of their buses from abroad for the transportation of pilgrims. Applications for Haj permits from domestic Haj establishments started from Oct. 4 and will continue until Nov. 17. Saudis get their permits from the Civil Status Department, and expatriates from the Passport Department. The Haj starts on Nov. 25. The Day of Arafat is expected to be on Nov. 26.
