UNS : Saudi Arabia has imposed a new restriction prohibiting children under the age of 15 from performing Hajj in 2026, according to Pakistan’s Ministry of Religious Affairs and the Pakistan Airports Authority.
The ban will come into effect from May 3, with airlines instructed not to allow any pilgrim below 15 years of age to travel on Hajj flights. Authorities confirmed that all Hajj visas issued to underage pilgrims have been cancelled.
In an official statement, the ministry said the Saudi government has directed that no flight from any country should carry a pilgrim who will be under 15 years old as of May 27, 2026, which corresponds to 9th Zulhijjah (Day of Arafat).
The Saudi authorities have assured that all affected pilgrims will receive a full refund of their payments.
Hajj directorates, the Hajj Organisers Association of Pakistan, and airlines have been instructed to strictly enforce the new rule with immediate effect.
Hajj flight operations from Pakistan began on April 18, with the first group of 160 pilgrims departing from Karachi. Under the official Hajj scheme, approximately 119,000 Pakistanis pilgrims are expected to travel to Madinah and Makkah this year, including 67,230 men and 51,846 women under the government programme.
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