The Saudi Ministry of Health has issued medical guidelines setting out the conditions that disqualify Hajj applicants.
The federal government has extended the deadline for submitting Hajj dues by three days, giving pilgrims one last chance to pay the second installment of their dues.
According to the spokesperson of the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, Muhammad Umar Butt, applicants must deposit the required fees by November 19. He said that if the second payment is not submitted, the Hajj application will be cancelled.
Previously, Saturday was the last day to deposit payments. The Ministry of Religious Affairs had announced that all designated banks would remain open on Saturday to facilitate Hajj 2026 scheme applicants to pay their second installment.
The ministry also urged prospective pilgrims to receive a computerized receipt after depositing their dues. This is to avoid any inconvenience or potential problems with the pilgrims’ application, ensuring a smooth process.
The government’s plan sends Pakistani citizens to perform the Hajj, providing a roadmap of all the steps that must be completed in the process. The government also provides guidance and packages to facilitate citizens during their journey. The plan includes the traditional 38-42 day packages as well as a shorter 20-25 day option, and the estimated costs are expected to range between Rs 1.15 million and Rs 1.25 million.
The first phase of the scheme began in early August this year and received more than 70,000 submissions from Pakistani enthusiasts. The second phase began on August 11 and applicants were advised to keep their passports until at least November 26, 2025. The Hajj scheme works on a first-come, first-served basis. Once payment of fees is completed, successful applicants will be able to begin their sacred journey.
A day earlier, Saudi Arabia imposed strict medical conditions for the 2026 Hajj, banning a wide range of seriously ill pilgrims from performing the Hajj and introducing a deportation policy for those who arrive in poor condition. According to the Saudi Ministry of Religious Affairs, any pilgrim who is medically unfit will be sent back to his or her country of origin and the cost of repatriation will be borne by the pilgrim.
The Saudi Ministry of Health has issued detailed medical guidelines setting out the conditions that disqualify Hajj applicants. The ministry said people with kidney diseases, including those on dialysis, will not be allowed to perform the Hajj in 2026. It added that heart patients who cannot withstand physical exertion will also be prohibited.
Pilgrims suffering from chronic lung or liver diseases, serious neurological or psychiatric conditions, weak memory or dementia and other significant disabilities will also be prohibited.
In addition, restrictions have been placed on older people suffering from serious age-related illnesses, including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. Pregnant women and people diagnosed with whooping cough, tuberculosis or viral hemorrhagic fevers are also not allowed to travel to perform the Hajj. Cancer patients have also not been declared eligible under the new guidelines.
The Ministry of Religious Affairs said medical officials will have the authority to prevent unfit people from traveling before departure. Saudi monitoring teams will verify the authenticity of fitness certificates, ensuring that only pilgrims who meet essential health standards access the holy sites.
