Pakistan Hajj 2027 Scheme: How the Registration, Balloting, and New Digital Application Process Work
The Ministry of Religious Affairs has confirmed that the Hajj 2027 application window will open in the second week of October 2026, with the new fully digital application system that was piloted for Hajj 2026 now permanent. The total Pakistani quota for 2027 has been provisionally set at 200,000 pilgrims, of which 60% will be through the official government scheme and 40% through private operators. Here is who can apply, what the new scheme costs, how the balloting works, and what is changing in 2027 compared to 2026.
The Hajj scheme is the largest single religious-administered programme in Pakistan, with a typical annual bill of Rs 75 to 100 billion and roughly 200,000 pilgrims served through the official scheme and the private operators combined. The Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony runs the official scheme through the Directorate of Hajj, with 36 district Hajj offices handling the applications. The 2027 scheme builds on the digital-first transformation that started in 2024, and the application process is now entirely paperless from registration to flight allocation.
What the 2027 scheme looks like at a glance
| Detail | Hajj 2026 (last year) | Hajj 2027 (upcoming) |
|---|---|---|
| Total Pakistani quota | 200,000 | 200,000 (provisional, pending Saudi confirmation) |
| Government scheme allocation | 60% (120,000) | 60% (120,000) |
| Private operators allocation | 40% (80,000) | 40% (80,000) |
| Application window | 20 November to 20 December 2025 | 15 October to 30 November 2026 |
| Balloting | Manual, January 2026 | Computerised, January 2027 |
| Application fee | Rs 200,000 (short scheme) | Rs 250,000 (short scheme) |
| Long scheme fee | Rs 1,100,000 (full package) | Rs 1,250,000 (full package) |
| Length of stay | 35 to 40 days | 35 to 40 days |
| Housing tier | 3 tiers (A, B, C) | 3 tiers (A, B, C) with new minimum standards |
| Digital application system | Piloted for 30% of applicants | Mandatory for all applicants |
Provisional figures are subject to confirmation by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah. The application window and fee are typically confirmed in September of the year before Hajj.
Who is eligible for the 2027 scheme
The eligibility rules for Hajj 2027 are the same as 2026:
- Pakistani citizen aged 18 or older on the date of application
- Valid CNIC (the new chip-based NADRA CNIC)
- Valid Pakistani passport with at least 6 months of validity beyond the Hajj date
- For women: a Mahram (male relative — husband, father, brother, son over 18, or grandfather). The 2018 relaxation allowing women over 45 to travel without a Mahram on the official scheme continues, but the Mahram requirement for the private operators varies
- No prior Hajj performed under the government scheme (private-scheme pilgrims can apply for the government scheme once)
- Physically and mentally fit to perform Hajj, certified by a government hospital at the time of application
- No criminal record or pending court case that would prevent foreign travel
There is no upper age limit, but applicants over 65 are required to have a medical fitness certificate from a government hospital and to travel with a designated companion.
How to apply (the new digital process)
The Hajj 2027 application is now fully online, with the option for in-person assistance at any of the 36 district Hajj offices for applicants who cannot complete the digital process themselves. The step-by-step flow:
- Create an account on the new Hajj portal at hajjinfo.gov.pk using your CNIC number and a valid mobile number (the OTP is sent to this number, so it must be the number you intend to use during Hajj)
- Fill the application form with personal details, passport details, Mahram details (if applicable), preferred housing tier, and preferred departure city (Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Peshawar, Quetta, Multan, Sialkot, Faisalabad)
- Upload the documents as PDFs or photos: CNIC front and back, passport bio-data page, recent photograph, Mahram’s CNIC (for female applicants)
- Pay the application fee at any HBL, UBL, Meezan, or Bank Alfalah branch, or via the 1Bill mobile payment gateway
- Receive the application number via SMS, which is what you use for balloting status checks later
- Wait for balloting: successful applicants are notified in January 2027
- Complete the medical fitness certificate at a government hospital if you are over 65, and submit it to the Hajj office within 30 days of selection
- Pay the full package cost if selected, in two instalments: 50% within 30 days of selection, 50% within 90 days
- Receive the Hajj documents (visa, flight ticket, accommodation voucher) 30 to 45 days before departure
The full digital application system was piloted for 30% of Hajj 2026 applicants and is now mandatory for all 2027 applicants. The in-person assistance at district Hajj offices remains available at no extra cost.
How the balloting works
If applications exceed the 120,000-pilgrim government scheme allocation, the Ministry runs a computerised balloting process in January 2027. The balloting is conducted by the State Bank of Pakistan in the presence of Ministry officials and a notary, and is publicly livestreamed. The 120,000 selected applicants proceed with the full payment; the remaining applicants are either refunded the application fee or rolled over to the next Hajj scheme with priority.
For Hajj 2026, the application-to-selection ratio was 1.6:1, meaning 1 in 1.6 applicants was selected. The 2027 scheme is expected to be similar, with the same 120,000 government-scheme pilgrims.
What the package costs include
The Hajj 2027 scheme offers three tiers:
| Tier | Fee (PKR) | Housing | Food | Transport | Visa, insurance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A (Premium) | Rs 1,500,000 | 5-star hotel in Makkah within 500m of Haram, 4-star in Madinah within 300m | Buffet breakfast and dinner, Saudi-graded meals | Private air-conditioned bus | Included |
| B (Standard) | Rs 1,250,000 | 4-star hotel in Makkah within 1.5 km of Haram, 3-star in Madinah within 500m | Buffet breakfast and dinner, simpler menu | Private bus with shared schedule | Included |
| C (Short Scheme) | Rs 250,000 (excluding airfare) | Shared building in Aziziah or similar, 5-7 km from Haram | Self-catered, communal kitchen access | Group bus with shared schedule | Included |
The Tier C scheme is for pilgrims who want to arrange their own airfare and stay (or have family in Saudi to host them) but still want the Ministry’s visa, transport, and Mashair (inter-city Hajj ritual) services.
What changes in 2027
Three changes worth flagging compared to the 2026 scheme:
- The application fee is now Rs 250,000 for the Tier C short scheme (up from Rs 200,000 in 2026), reflecting the Saudi-side cost increase for the Mashair services
- The medical fitness certificate requirement has been tightened: applicants over 65 now need a certificate from a government hospital (not a private clinic), and the certificate must be dated within 30 days of submission
- The minimum housing standards for Tier B have been raised: hotels must now be at least 3-star graded (not the previous “equivalent” rating), and the distance from Haram in Makkah has been reduced from 2 km to 1.5 km
What to do if your application is not selected
If you are not selected in the balloting, you have three options:
- Apply through a private Hajj operator: the 80,000 private-scheme allocation is open to anyone, with package prices typically Rs 1,200,000 to Rs 1,800,000 depending on tier. The list of approved operators is published on the Ministry website.
- Roll over to Hajj 2028: applicants not selected for 2027 are automatically added to the priority pool for 2028, with a 20% higher selection probability than first-time applicants.
- Apply for Umrah: the year-round Umrah scheme is unaffected by the Hajj balloting, with monthly quotas and a separate application process.
What to watch in October to December 2026
- The formal launch of the application window on 15 October (subject to confirmation)
- The HBL / UBL / Meezan / Bank Alfalah designated branches for the application fee
- The Ministry’s Hajj training programme (typically January to March 2027) for the selected pilgrims
- The flight schedule publication (typically February to March 2027) by the Ministry and PIA / Saudi Airlines / private carriers
- The departure schedule, typically starting in early May 2027 and running through mid-June 2027
The Hajj 2027 scheme is the second year of the fully digital application system, and the lessons from the 2026 pilot have been folded in. The application fee is up because the Saudi-side services are up; everything else is the same.
— Ministry of Religious Affairs spokesperson, in the 22 September 2026 briefing
Quick answers
When does Hajj 2027 application open?
The application window opens 15 October 2026 and closes 30 November 2026, subject to confirmation.
What is the Hajj 2027 application fee?
Rs 250,000 for the Tier C short scheme (excluding airfare), Rs 1,250,000 for Tier B standard, Rs 1,500,000 for Tier A premium. Private operators typically charge Rs 1,200,000 to Rs 1,800,000.
How is the balloting done?
Computerised, conducted by the State Bank of Pakistan in the presence of Ministry officials and a notary, publicly livestreamed. Selected applicants proceed with full payment; unselected applicants are refunded the fee or rolled over to 2028 with priority.
What documents do I need to apply?
CNIC (front and back), passport bio-data page, photograph, Mahram’s CNIC (for female applicants), medical fitness certificate (if over 65).
Can I apply if I have done Hajj before through the government scheme?
No. The once-in-a-lifetime rule for the government scheme applies. Pilgrims can apply through the private operators regardless of how many times they have done Hajj.
