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FCO: Foreign Office advises British nationals to prepare before travelling to the Hajj

10th October 2011 The UK Foreign Office have released the following update:

Britons travelling to Saudi Arabia for the Hajj should prepare carefully and follow travel safety advice. Around 20,000 are expected to make the journey from 4-9 November.

Pilgrims perform the 'Tawaf' ritual around the Kaaba at the Grand Mosque, Makkah. Photo by KHALED DESOUKI/AFP/Getty Images.

The Foreign Office is urging Hajj pilgrims to get comprehensive travel insurance and essential vaccinations before embarking on their journey:

it is compulsory for travellers to the Hajj to have a Meningococcal Meningitis vaccination certificate in order to obtain a Hajj visa

we strongly recommend that you have a seasonal influenza vaccination prior to embarking on your trip

you should take out fully comprehensive travel insurance in advance

check the Foreign Office travel advice for the latest on the situation in Saudi Arabia

The Foreign Office will provide the full range of consular services and will be sending a delegation of consular staff. The majority of cases that the delegation handled last year were replacing travel documents. Pilgrims should ensure they look after personal belongings and should take particular care with travel documents, tickets and other valuables.

The delegation will be located at the Elaf Al Khalil Hotel, Makkah. You can find contact details and information on what the delegation can and can’t do in our travel advice for Hajj pilgrims.