Saudi Arabia has pledged to increase the Hajj quota and expand Umrah visa allocations for Afghan pilgrims, a move welcomed by Afghanistan’s authorities as part of ongoing cooperation on religious pilgrimage arrangements.

During recent discussions between Saudi officials and representatives from Afghanistan’s Ministry of Hajj and Religious Affairs in Kabul, the Kingdom reaffirmed its commitment to enhancing access for Afghan worshippers to perform Islam’s most sacred rituals.

The talks focused on boosting the number of Hajj permits allocated to Afghanistan, raising the issuance of Umrah visas, improving administrative coordination and addressing technical matters to facilitate smoother pilgrim journeys.

The Saudi side assured full cooperation in raising the quota and increasing Umrah visa numbers, reflecting Riyadh’s efforts to support wider participation from Muslim communities in these central religious rites.

Officials also discussed providing additional facilities and streamlining processes for Afghan pilgrims, underlining shared priorities in strengthening religious ties and easing pilgrimage travel.

This development follows broader engagement between the two countries on issues affecting their citizens’ access to the Hajj and Umrah, underscoring Saudi Arabia’s role as custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and its ongoing initiatives to accommodate Muslims from across the region and beyond.

The proposed increases in Hajj quota and Umrah visas are expected to provide greater opportunities for Afghan worshippers to fulfil their religious obligations in the coming seasons, continuing Saudi Arabia’s tradition of facilitating pilgrim access while managing logistics and services at an international scale.