ISLAMABAD: The federal ministry of religious affairs has introduced an early passport renewal facility for aspiring Hajj 2027 pilgrims, enabling applicants to renew their passports before the standard eligibility period to meet the mandatory travel document requirements.
The decision was made following a request by the Ministry of Religious Affairs, after which the Directorate General of Immigration and Passports issued formal instructions to passport offices across the country.
According to the ministry’s spokesperson, all applicants intending to perform Hajj in 2027 must possess a Pakistani passport that remains valid until November 16, 2027. To facilitate the process, passport offices have been directed to accept applications for early renewal from intending pilgrims and process them on a priority basis.
The spokesperson said prospective pilgrims would be allowed to renew their passports before the prescribed time limit under Rule 3(c) of the Passport Rules, providing relief to those whose travel documents would otherwise not meet the required validity period.
Instructions have also been issued to passport offices operating at Pakistani missions abroad to expedite renewal applications from overseas Pakistanis planning to perform Hajj.
The Ministry of Religious Affairs has urged all intending Hajj pilgrims to ensure they obtain a passport valid until November 16, 2027, before proceeding with the Hajj application process, warning that no application for Hajj 2027 will be accepted without a valid Pakistani passport meeting the required validity criteria.
