The Hajj Corporation has officially commenced the collection of biometric data for Hajj pilgrims under the groundbreaking Makkah Route Initiative, marking a significant step forward in streamlining the sacred journey for Maldivian citizens.
This advanced process, crucial for both Saudi immigration authorities and the integrated Nusuk platform, is designed to eliminate lengthy airport procedures, allowing pilgrims to focus on spirituality.
The collection drive began initially for residents of the capital, Male’. For pilgrims traveling from the Atolls, dedicated sessions will be held closer to their departure dates. The process involves capturing vital biometric identifiers, including fingerprints and facial features, which are digitally recorded by Hajj Corporation staff using smartphones. This collected data is then instantly uploaded to the Saudi immigration portal, pre-clearing pilgrims before they even board their flight.
The Makkah Route Initiative, launched by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 2019 and implemented for the first time in the Maldives last year, represents a revolutionary modernisation of Hajj travel logistics. It facilitates a seamless experience by completing all visa, customs, and immigration requirements in the pilgrim's country of origin.
Hajj Corporation Managing Director Mohamed Shakeel hailed the service as a transformative change.
"The Makkah Route is a revolutionary change in the services for Maldives pilgrims. Until the last Hajj, we had only heard of the 'Makkah Route'. Only after receiving this service, we realised how convenient it really is,” Shakeel explained.
Under this initiative, pilgrims will depart from the Maldives having already completed all immigration formalities. Upon landing in Saudi Arabia, they can bypass traditional airport queues and will spend around three minutes at the airport after disembarking.
The Maldives is one of only ten countries selected by the Saudi government to benefit from this exclusive, facilitated service.