New Vaccination Certificate Rule for Umrah Pilgrims from Pakistan Starts September 14

ISLAMABAD, September 13, 2026: Pakistani pilgrims travelling to Saudi Arabia for Umrah will need to pay closer attention to their vaccination documents as a new digital certificate requirement comes into effect from September 14, 2026.

Under the new system, only NADRA-integrated digital vaccination certificates issued through authorized vaccination centres will be accepted for Hajj and Umrah travel.

The change is expected to affect the pre-departure process for thousands of Pakistani pilgrims travelling to Saudi Arabia in the coming weeks.

What Has Changed?

Previously, many travellers relied on physical vaccination cards or certificates when completing their international travel requirements.

Under the new arrangement, vaccination records must be digitally integrated with NADRA.

From September 14, pilgrims should have:

• A vaccination record issued by an authorized vaccination centre
• A NADRA-integrated digital vaccination certificate
• Proof of the vaccinations required for their Saudi Arabia journey
• The certificate available before arriving at any airport including Lahore Airport.

Passengers who arrive without the required documentation could experience delays during health screening or airport clearance.

Airport Vaccination Facility Available During Initial Rollout

The authorities have also introduced a temporary arrangement to make the transition easier for passengers.

During the initial implementation period, passengers may be able to obtain their vaccination certificate at the airport, subject to arrangements made by the Ministry of Health.

Travellers using this facility are advised to reach the airport up to six hours before their scheduled departure to allow enough time for vaccination, registration and certificate processing.

Important: Pilgrims should not treat the airport facility as the normal procedure. Completing vaccination and obtaining the digital certificate before travelling to the airport is the safer option.

What Should Umrah Package Pilgrims Do?

If you are planning to travel for Umrah from Pakistan after September 14, it is better to complete the process well before your flight.

Simple checklist

Before travelling to the airport:

☑ Visit an authorized vaccination centre
☑ Complete the required vaccination(s)
☑ Obtain your NADRA-integrated digital vaccination certificate
☑ Check that your personal information is correct
☑ Keep the certificate accessible on your phone
☑ Carry a printed copy as a backup
☑ Confirm the latest requirements with your airline or Umrah packages travel agent

Don't Wait Until the Day of Departure

The new requirement could initially cause longer queues at airports as travellers and vaccination centres adjust to the digital system.

For families travelling together, the issue becomes even more important. A missing certificate for one passenger could potentially delay the group's departure arrangements.

Pilgrims should therefore complete the vaccination process several days before their flight, rather than depending on airport facilities at the last minute.

What About Existing Paper Certificates?

Travellers should be particularly careful if they already have an old vaccination card.

A paper certificate alone should not be assumed to be sufficient under the new system. The new requirement specifically calls for a NADRA-integrated digital vaccination certificate issued by an authorized centre.

If you already have vaccination records, check with an authorized vaccination centre to determine whether your record needs to be updated or digitally integrated.

Why This Matters for Umrah Travel

For Pakistani Umrah package travellers from Lahore and other cities, vaccination documentation is an important part of the overall journey, alongside the passport, Saudi visa, airline ticket and accommodation arrangements.

The new digital system is intended to make vaccination records easier to verify and reduce reliance on manually checked documents.

For travel agencies, the change also means vaccination status should become part of the pre-departure checklist provided to every Umrah passenger.

Travel agents should inform customers

Umrah operators and travel agents can help prevent airport problems by informing customers about the new requirement immediately after booking.

A simple pre-travel message can remind pilgrims to:

Get vaccinated → obtain the NADRA-integrated certificate → verify the record → carry proof to the airport.

Key Dates at a Glance

Advice for Pilgrims Departing from Pakistan

The best way to avoid unnecessary stress is to deal with vaccination requirements before the day of your flight.

If you have already booked an Umrah package, contact your travel agent or airline and confirm the latest vaccination requirements. Those travelling independently should also check the current requirements before departure.

With the new system taking effect on September 14, pilgrims should make sure their vaccination documentation is ready before heading to the airport.