Haj

FAQs on Limited Balloting Scheme (LBS)

Limited Balloting Scheme (LBS)

1) Why is the allocation of additional quota not done first come first serve?

Based on the experience of Haj 2022, Singapore was granted 493 additional Haj places one week from the scheduled first pilgrims’ departure to the KSA. This meant that the Islamic  Council of Singapore (Muis), which runs the Advance Haj Registration System (AHRS), had to reach out to nearly 4,000 applicants in the AHRS queue to fill up the given haj places within three working days.

During the allocation process, Muis noted that a significant number of applicants in the queue were not ready (either physically, mentally, spiritually and financially) to perform Haj given the short notice. Thus they were not able to accept the offer for the additional quota.

Learning from this experience, Muis has developed a system to quickly and efficiently allocate any additional places which may be given by the KSA,while givig advance notice to prospective eligible pilgrims to be ready if they are willing and able to perform Haj.

Application Fee

2) Why is there a non-refundable application fee?

Each individual applicant will pay $100.00 every time the LBS is offered. The fee collected is a charge to defray the one-time registration cost, including processing the application, and 

performing the balloting process, and is also a commitment by the prospective pilgrim to be ready to perform the Haj if given the opportunity.

Given with the current economic condition, as we are still recovering from the pandemic, Muis will subsidise the application fee for the next two years. Applicants in 2023 need only pay $50.00, and applicants in 2024 need only pay $75.00.

3) If my ballot slip is unsuccessful this year, must I pay again to apply for next year’s balloting exercise??

You are required to make new payment if you decide to apply for next year’s balloting exercise.

4) Will Muis refund me if there is no additional quota?

Muis, at its discretion, will refund you with the application fee, if there is not a single additional quota granted to Singapore.

 

Required Information for Applying LBS

5) What is the required information for registering LBS?

For the application of LBS, you need to collect the following information from MyHajSG. Similarly for a Group Application, the onus will be on the group leader to collect the information from the group members and that they meet the qualifying criteria before applying for LBS. If there is a group member is found to be non-eligible during the verification process, the entire group application will be rejected.

a)          NRIC Number

b)          Haj Registration Date

c)          Haj Registration Number (e.g. R-XXXXXX-XXXXXXX)

d)          Valid Contact details (Mobile number and Email address)

Group Application

6) My Haj application registration year is different from my spouse, but it falls within the allowing period, can we apply as a group?

Given that both you and your spouse fall within the registration period of 1 Jan 2013 to 31 Dec 2017, you can apply as a Group Application.

7) If a a group member is not eligible, can the other eligible group members proceed to be given the additional Haj placement if their ballot slips are successful?

Muis will conduct verification checks on all applications received to sieve out non-eligible applicants. If there is a group member is found to be non-eligible during the verification process, the entire group application will be rejected. Hence, the onus will be on the group leader to collect the information from the group members and that they meet the qualifying criteria before applying for LBS.

8) My mother is eligible to apply for LBS, but she has health conditions. Given that I am not eligible to apply for LBS, can I appeal to accompany her?

You are unable to appeal given that this balloting exercise is limited to eligible applicants only.

Application Process Workflow

9) What will be the application process workflow?

 
The application process will be as appended:

Stage

Activity

Explanatory

1

Muis will notify eligible Haj applicants via SMS and Email on the issuance of Letter of Intention (LOI).
  • Upon receiving the LOl, eligible Haj applicants are advised to consider the invitation if they are physically, mentally, spiritually and financially ready to perform Haj.
  • Eligible Haj applicants are advised to update their particulars (Mobile numbers and Email address) in MyHaiSG by 29 April 2023

2

Muis will notify eligible Haj applicants via SMS on the commencement and closing date of registration.

 

3

Registration period for the Limited Balloting Scheme
  • Tentatively in early May 2023
  • Applicants are advised to adhere with the instructions and general reminders stated in the application form.
  • Given that applications will be subjected to balloting process, applicants need not rush to submit their applications
  • No payment is required for submission of applications
  • Applicants are advised to ensure that all details in the application form are accurate and correc

4

Muis will collate submitted applications and to conduct verification process.
  • Applications received will be subjected to a verification process
  • Applications that are found to have found to have incorrect, false or misleading details of applicants) will be rejected

 

5

Muis will notify applicants with verified applications via SMS and email on the payment instructions

 

6

Applicants with verified applications will make payment via MyHajSG portal within the stipulated timeline.
  • For Group Application, only the group leader will login to MyHajSG to make payment
  • Verified applications will be rejected if payment is not made within the stipulated timeline

 

7

Muis will collate verified and paid applications for Balloting process

 

8

Balloting process
  • Balloting process will be conducted by Muis' Pilgrimage Committee to ensure independence and transparency.
  • The balloting process will be witnessed by an independent witness appointed by Mui

9

Muis will notify successful balloted applicants via Email on the issuance of Letter of Offer (LOO)
  • Tentatively in mid-May 2023
  • Successful balloted applicants are advised to check their Email Inbox and Junk Email regularly

10

Applicants who accept the LOO must immediately purchase Haj packages from Muis' appointed Travel Agents and submit travel document to Muis for visa processing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Note: The above mentioned information will be dependent on the confirmation of the additional quota granted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and may be subjected to changes, whenever deemed necessary.

10) When will Muis exercise the balloting process?

Muis will only exercise the balloting process after receiving the confirmation of the additional Haj places given by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA).

11) Can I withdraw my application before the balloting process?

You can do so by notifying Muis via email (Haj@muis.gov.sg) immediately. However, you  may wish to note that the application fee paid will not be refunded.

12) What if I am one of the successful balloted applicants but decided to withdraw?

A successful balloted applicant may withdraw by notifying Muis via email (Haj@muis.gov.sg) immediately. However, you may wish to note that the application fee paid will not be refunded.

System Governance

13) What are the measures taken to ensure the integrity of this LBS?

LBS is a computerised and automated designed system to manage any complex and specific pre-requisites set by KSA for the current Haj season.

Collated applications will be subjected to verification checks on the eligibility of applicants before commencement of the balloting process. The onus will be on the applicant to ensure that he/she meets the necessary criteria before applying for the LBS.

The Pilgrimage Committee, chaired by Dr Syed Harun Taha Alhabsyi will oversee the computer-generated allocation of successful balloted applicants. The balloting process will be witnessed by an independent witness appointed by Muis.

14) What is the auditing process of the balloting system used?

For the purpose of governance, LBS will be subjected to independent auditor to ensure fairness and transparency.

Early Preparation for Departure

15) Do I have to start preparing for my departure even though I have not received the balloting results?

Given the time constraint, you are advised to start preparing for your departure in ensuring that your travel documents (e.g. valid passport of more than 6 months and required vaccinations certificates) are ready after applying for LBS. If you are successfully balloted for Haj, the travel documents will be required to be submitted to Muis immediately for visa processing.

16) If my passport is due for renewal, is it still okay to apply?

You are advised to ensure that your passport has the validity period of more than 6 months before applying for the LBS.