The Ministry of Religious Affairs has extended the deadline for completing Saudi Hajj visa biometric verification until February 17 officials confirmed on Monday providing relief to intending pilgrims across Pakistan.
Pilgrims can complete the biometric process either from home through a mobile application or by visiting Saudi Tasheer Centres which have been established in six major cities. Authorities have emphasised that pilgrims must retain the receipt or confirmation email issued after verification as biometric completion is mandatory for the issuance of a Hajj visa. No visa will be granted without fulfilling this requirement.
Meanwhile the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has announced that Hajj visas began being issued globally from February 8 marking an early rollout aimed at improving service preparedness and enhancing pilgrims comfort under Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 initiative.
According to official figures 750,000 pilgrims worldwide have registered so far including 30,000 packages booked directly from home countries. In Pakistan 119,000 government pilgrims and 60,000 private pilgrims have completed registration said Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Muhammad Yousaf.
The ministry confirmed that 485 camps have been allocated for international pilgrims while 73 Hajj affairs offices have finalised key contracts. Arrangements for food, transport and other services have been completed through a competitive procurement process.
During Hajj 2025, approximately Rs3.5 billion was refunded to 75% of Pakistani pilgrims, with individual refunds ranging from Rs12,000 to Rs110,000. Additionally nationwide training sessions using audio visual aids were conducted at 147 locations to guide pilgrims.
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