Saudi Arabia has welcomed more than 820,000 foreign pilgrims ahead of the upcoming Hajj pilgrimage, according to official data from the Saudi Directorate of Passports.

As of the end of Thursday, a total of 820,685 international pilgrims had arrived in the Kingdom. Of these, 782,358 traveled by air, 35,478 entered via land borders, and 2,822 arrived by sea.

In 2024, approximately 1.8 million Muslims from within and outside Saudi Arabia participated in the Hajj, fulfilling one of the five pillars of Islam.

To streamline the pilgrimage experience, Saudi authorities continue to implement the “Mecca Route” initiative, a program designed to expedite arrival and departure procedures. Officially launched in 2018, the initiative provides comprehensive pre-travel services, including visa issuance, biometric data collection, and health verification, at select international airports.

Upon arrival, pilgrims are transported directly to their accommodations in Mecca and Medina via designated buses, while their luggage is delivered separately — significantly improving efficiency and comfort.

The Mecca Route aims to enhance the pilgrimage experience by saving time, reducing congestion, and ensuring high-quality services for all participating pilgrims.