RIYADH: Intending Pakistani pilgrims must complete biometric verification through the Saudi Visa Bio mobile application by Sunday, February 8, or risk being denied a Hajj visa, the Ministry of Religious Affairs has announced.
A spokesperson for the ministry said pilgrims can submit their fingerprints from home using the app, helping reduce congestion at centres. Applicants were also urged to safeguard the confirmation email received after completing the biometric process.
To assist those unable to use the app, Tasheer centres will operate from 9am to 5pm on both Saturday and Sunday. Pilgrims aged over 80 have been exempted from biometric verification.
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has confirmed that Hajj visas will begin being issued worldwide from February 8. According to the Saudi Gazette, the early rollout reflects an accelerated schedule aimed at enhancing service preparedness and pilgrim comfort under the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 initiative.
So far, around 750,000 pilgrims have registered globally, with 30,000 booking Hajj packages directly from their home countries. Saudi authorities have designated approximately 485 camps for international pilgrims, while 73 Hajj affairs offices have finalised their core contractual arrangements.
In Pakistan, registration has been completed for 119,000 government-sponsored pilgrims and 60,000 private pilgrims, Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Muhammad Yousaf confirmed last month.
He said logistical preparations including food, transport and accommodation are being finalised in accordance with the Saudi timeline through a competitive procurement process.
The minister also highlighted that during Hajj 2025, refunds totalling Rs3.5 billion were issued to about 75% of Pakistani pilgrims, with individual amounts ranging from Rs12,000 to Rs110,000. Additionally, training sessions are currently underway at 147 locations across the country to ensure pilgrims’ discipline and preparedness.
