The Ministry of Religious Affairs announced that the deadline for completing biometric verification for this year’s Hajj visa has been extended to February 17. Pilgrims can now complete the process conveniently through a mobile app from their homes.
Additionally, biometric verification can be completed at Saudi Tasheer Centres set up in six major cities. Pilgrims must retain the receipt or confirmation email received from these centres, as no Hajj visa will be issued without proper verification.
Read more : Saudi tightens Hajj visa rules for Pakistan
Saudi Arabia will begin issuing Hajj visas to pilgrims worldwide from February 8 as part of an accelerated schedule designed to improve service readiness and ensure pilgrims’ comfort in line with Vision 2030 objectives.
So far, around 750,000 pilgrims have registered for Hajj 2026, with packages booked for 30,000 pilgrims directly from their home countries. The ministry confirmed that approximately 485 camps have been allocated, and 73 Hajj offices have completed essential contractual arrangements.
Read more : Government sets Nov 15 deadline for hajj 2026 installment
In Pakistan, registration is complete for 119,000 government pilgrims and 60,000 private pilgrims, according to Federal Minister Sardar Muhammad Yousaf. Preparations include finalising food, transportation, and other services through a competitive process to ensure smooth operations.
Training sessions with audio-visual facilities are being conducted at 147 locations nationwide, helping pilgrims understand rituals and procedures. During Hajj 2025, refunds totaling Rs3.5 billion were returned to 75% of Pakistani pilgrims, highlighting efficient management of the pilgrimage.