Business Desk 
Mar 15, 2026
The Ministry of Religious Affairs on Saturday directed private Hajj operators to complete visa processing for Hajj-2026 by March 15, ahead of the Saudi authorities’ final deadline of March 20.
"To avoid any unforeseen eventuality due to the Eid holiday or any other reason, it is imperative that the visa process may be completed by March 15," said Hajj Organisers Association of Pakistan (HOAP) and Hajj companies chairman.
According to the ministry, the directive aims to avoid any delays due to the upcoming Eid holiday or other unforeseen reasons.
The Saudi authorities has set March 20 as a deadline for visa issuances and it is strictly unextendable and no relaxation shall be granted beyond the stipulated date, said the Ministry of Religious Affairs said in a correspondence to the Chairman of the HOAP.
In view of the foregoing, all private Hajj operators have been directed to complete visa processing of their respective Hujjaj before the deadline ends.
The HOAP had also been directed to submit a daily report to the ministry regarding the issuance of Hajj visas. "In view of a fresh letter from the Ministry, we are short by five days and want some relaxation," one of HOAP’s representatives said.
An official of the Ministry of Religious Affairs said that they are completing the whole visa process under the government’s regular scheme in line with directions and deadline given by the Saudi government, saying that biometrics of all over 119,000 intending pilgrims had been completed
"Our preparations for next year will also start soon after completion of the Hajj-2026 operation," he said.
In all, 60,000 Pakistanis would perform Hajj under the private Hajj schemes this year. "Approximately 485 camps have been allocated for international pilgrims at the holy sites, and 73 Hajj affairs offices have completed their basic contractual arrangements," said the ministry, adding that Hajj pilgrims need to keep the receipt or confirmation email received from the Tasheer Centres.
It is important to remember that biometric verification is mandatory for obtaining a Hajj visa, and no visa will be issued without it.
