Pakistan announces important update on Saudi Arabia visa

2026-01-31 - 06:26

ISLAMABAD – The Federal Ministry of Religious Affairs has made an important announcement regarding the biometric process for Saudi visas for Hajj pilgrims. A spokesperson for the ministry confirmed that pilgrims can now complete their biometric process from the comfort of their homes using the “Saudi Visa Bio” app. The ministry clarified that biometric verification is mandatory for obtaining a Saudi Hajj visa. If pilgrims are unable to complete the process through the app, they must visit a nearby Saudi Tashir Center before February 8 to fulfill the requirement. The spokesperson emphasized that without completing the biometric process, pilgrims will not be issued a Hajj visa. For further details on the nearest Tashir Centers, pilgrims can also refer to the “Pak Hajj” mobile app. Pakistan Hajj Police 2026 Earlier this month, the federal government has finalized and approved a comprehensive Hajj Policy for 2026, ensuring it aligns with the guidelines set by Saudi Arabia, announced Sardar Muhammad Yousaf, Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony. He confirmed that Pakistan’s Hajj quota stands at 179,210 pilgrims for this year. The minister explained that approximately 120,000 pilgrims would travel under the government’s scheme, while around 60,000 would make the journey through private operators. He also stated that preparations are already underway across the country, with mandatory training sessions being held in various districts to ensure pilgrims are well-prepared and the pilgrimage proceeds smoothly. Additionally, Yousaf highlighted that about 38,000 pilgrims would depart from Islamabad through the “Road to Makkah” initiative, which simplifies immigration procedures in Pakistan prior to departure.