ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has allowed prospective Hajj pilgrims to renew their passports earlier than normally permitted to help them meet eligibility requirements for the 2027 pilgrimage, the Ministry of Religious Affairs said on Tuesday, as authorities stepped up preparations for next year’s annual journey to Islam’s holiest sites.
The ministry said applicants for Hajj 2027 must hold a Pakistani passport valid until at least Nov. 16, 2027. While passport renewals are ordinarily processed closer to a passport’s expiry date, the ministry said prospective Hajj pilgrims would be able to seek early renewal under Rule 3(c) of the Passport Rules if their existing passports do not meet the validity requirement.
The move is intended to prevent applicants from being disqualified on technical grounds when applications for Hajj 2027 are processed.
“The Passport Office has issued instructions allowing prospective Hajj pilgrims to renew their passports before the prescribed period,” the ministry said in a statement.
Pakistan has in recent years sought to digitize and streamline its Hajj management system, introducing online registration and payment mechanisms and adopting longer-term planning for future pilgrimages.
Saudi Arabia requires Hajj pilgrims to meet strict documentation and travel requirements, including minimum passport validity, before visa applications can be processed.
