Hajj 2026 from Bangladesh: early booking guide, quota update and what to do before Muharram

If you intend to perform Hajj in 2026, the most important question is not which agency to choose, but when to choose one. Saudi Arabia announces national quotas in early Muharram and Bangladesh's allocation is divided between the Government Hajj management and 700+ approved private agencies. Once an agency's quota is filled, no further bookings can be accepted at any price.

What is Bangladesh's 2026 Hajj quota?

Bangladesh has been allocated approximately 127,000 pilgrim seats for the 2026 Hajj season, of which roughly 10,000 are under the Government Hajj management and the remainder are distributed among private agencies. The Ministry of Religious Affairs (MoRA) publishes the precise quota in the official Hajj Bulletin, usually within the first ten days of Muharram.

The Bangladesh quota for 1447 H is slightly higher than last season's, and the published package categories remain three: Government General, Government Special and Private Agency.

Why early booking is not just a marketing line

Five real reasons:

• Hotel distance. The closer the hotel to Masjid al-Haram, the higher the price and the faster it sells. Hotels within 250–400 metres are usually contracted out by Rabi al-Awwal.
• Flight schedule. Direct flights (Dhaka — Jeddah or Dhaka — Madinah) on Biman and Saudia are the first to fill. Late bookers often end up on one-stop itineraries via Doha or Abu Dhabi.
• Maktab in Mina. The Mu'allim assigns Mina tents based on a Saudi Arabian computerised allocation that strongly favours early registration.
• Group composition. Families and friends who book together travel together. Late additions are placed in whatever group still has space.
• Currency hedging. Agencies that take early bookings can lock the Saudi Riyal rate. A 6% currency move in May can cost a late booker BDT 60,000 on a BDT 1 million package.

Documents to gather before Muharram

You do not need to wait for an agency to start collecting documents. Gather these now and the rest of the booking will move fast:

1. Passport with at least 8 months validity from the intended departure date.
2. Four passport-sized photographs, white background, 6×4 cm, taken in the last six months.
3. National ID copy (both sides).
4. Vaccination card showing meningitis ACWY and the current seasonal influenza shot. Polio and yellow fever may be required for certain transit routes.
5. Bank solvency certificate (your bank can issue this in 1–2 working days).
6. Mahram relation certificate for female pilgrims travelling without a Mahram (this is now optional under the new Saudi rules for women above 45, but agencies still keep it on file).

What questions to ask any agency

Whether you book with us or somewhere else, please ask these questions in writing. A trustworthy agency will answer in writing too:

• What is your Hajj Licence number? (Ours is 0252.)
• What is the exact distance of the hotel in Makkah from Bab Marwah/Bab Fahd?
• What category of Mina Maktab is included?
• Is the airfare on a direct flight or with a stopover?
• What is the total price including all government charges, and what is the refund policy?
• Can you provide three references from your 2024 or 2025 pilgrims?

A small word from us

We say this every year: Hajj is one journey where saving BDT 50,000 by going with the cheapest option can cost you peace of mind for the rest of your life. Choose an agency you can visit in person, hold the manager's eye, and trust to look after your father, your mother, your spouse for the most important journey they will ever take.

If you would like to sit with our Hajj desk in Dhaka, please come on any Saturday or Sunday morning. Tea is on us, the Mu'allim is on standby, and you can leave without a deposit.