Hajj 2026 Pakistan: Application Dates, Packages and Costs
Pakistan’s federal cabinet approved the official Hajj policy for 2026 in late 2025, setting the country’s quota at 179,210 pilgrims and opening the road for hundreds of thousands of intending pilgrims to plan the sacred journey. Under the hajj 2026 policy, applications were invited in two phases through designated banks, with costs payable in easy installments for the first time. This guide covers the hajj 2026 dates, application schedule, government and private packages, expected costs, eligibility rules and everything a Pakistani pilgrim needs to know, as announced by the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony.
Government and Private Quotas
Pakistan’s total Hajj quota for 2026 (1447 AH) was fixed at 179,210 pilgrims after coordination with Saudi authorities, though Islamabad had requested an increase to 230,000 based on the 2023 census. Of this national quota, 119,210 seats were allocated to the Government Hajj Scheme and 60,000 to private Hajj operators, roughly a two-thirds to one-third split that favours the cheaper state-managed route.
The private quota’s share was trimmed compared with earlier plans after private operators under-utilised their allocation in the previous season, which is why the government scheme received the larger slice. Pilgrims applying through the private sector choose from packages offered by licensed Hajj Group Organisers, while government-scheme pilgrims follow a standardised package and schedule.
Application Dates and Phases
Registration for the government scheme was made mandatory and free of cost, closing on 9 July 2025 through 15 designated banks and the ministry’s online portal. Applications were then accepted in two phases: Phase 1 ran from 4 to 9 August 2025 for already-registered applicants on a first-come, first-served basis, and Phase 2 ran from 11 to 16 August 2025 for unregistered applicants against remaining seats.
When demand stayed strong, the Ministry extended bank submissions by one more day to Monday, 18 August 2025. Officials reported that more than 110,000 applications had been received by then, with around 7,000 government-scheme seats still vacant. Once the quota filled, applications closed immediately. Overseas Pakistanis holding a valid Pakistani passport were also declared eligible to apply.
A separate Sponsorship Scheme set aside 5,000 seats for overseas Pakistanis who pay in US dollars from abroad; these seats skip balloting entirely and are allotted first-come, first-served. Because the 2026 selection was mostly first-come, first-served rather than a draw, early applicants had the advantage.
Hajj 2026 Packages and Costs
The Ministry of Religious Affairs announced two government packages for the 2026 pilgrimage. The long package, lasting 38 to 42 days, was priced at about Rs 1,075,000, with a first installment of Rs 500,000 due with the application. The short package, lasting 20 to 25 days, was priced at about Rs 1,150,000, with a first installment of Rs 550,000.
The short package costs more despite being briefer because it uses premium airfare and expedited services, and it suits working pilgrims who cannot spare six weeks. The long package includes an 8 to 10-day stay in Madinah for prayers and acclimatisation plus additional worship days after the Hajj rituals. The remaining balance was to be collected from 1 November 2025 onward.
Private operators’ packages typically cost more than the government options, varying by hotel distance from the Haram, airline and service level. Applicants should compare what each package includes — accommodation, meals, transport, Ziarat and medical cover — before committing.
Eligibility Rules for Pilgrims
Applicants had to be Pakistani Muslims holding a machine-readable passport valid until at least 26 November 2026, along with a CNIC, NICOP or SNIC from NADRA. A medical fitness certificate from a recognised institution and recent passport-size photographs with a light-blue background were also required.
Following a Saudi directive linked to crowd safety after extreme heat in previous years, children under the age of 12 were not permitted to perform the pilgrimage in 2026, and Pakistan aligned its policy accordingly. Applicants who had performed Hajj in the last five years were not eligible, except for those travelling as a Mahram or for Hajj-e-Badal. Female pilgrims under 45 were required to travel with a legal male guardian.
Health Requirements and the Road to Makkah
Mandatory vaccinations for the 2026 pilgrimage included meningitis (ACWY), polio for travellers from polio-risk countries, and seasonal flu, with enhanced heat-safety guidance from Saudi authorities. Pilgrims aged 65 and above were advised to carry a COVID-19 vaccination certificate as well.
The Road to Makkah initiative continued for 2026, offering pre-departure Saudi immigration clearance at Islamabad and Karachi airports so pilgrims land in the Kingdom with formalities largely complete. The sacred days of Hajj 2026 fell in late May, with the rites expected between the evening of 24 May and 29 May 2026, alongside Eid ul Adha on 27 May.
For related religious calendar coverage, see our Eid ul Adha 2026 guide and the Ramadan calendar 2026. Further official detail is available from the Kashmir English report on the extended application deadline and the Hamariweb guide to the bank list and document checklist.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the government package cost?
The long 38–42 day package cost about Rs 1,075,000 and the short 20–25 day package about Rs 1,150,000, each payable in installments starting with Rs 500,000 or Rs 550,000 respectively.
When were Hajj 2026 applications accepted?
Mandatory registration closed on 9 July 2025, applications ran 4–9 August for registered applicants and 11–16 August for unregistered applicants, with bank submissions extended to 18 August 2025.
How many pilgrims did Pakistan send for Hajj 2026?
Pakistan’s quota was 179,210 pilgrims: 119,210 under the government scheme and 60,000 through private operators.
Were children allowed to perform Hajj in 2026?
No. Following a Saudi safety directive, children under 12 were not permitted to perform the pilgrimage.
What is the Sponsorship Scheme for overseas Pakistanis?
A 5,000-seat quota for overseas Pakistanis who pay in US dollars from abroad, with no balloting and first-come, first-served allotment.
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