Pakistan Revises Hajj 2027 Application Date to August 18
Pakistan has revised the starting date for Hajj 2027 applications, with the process now scheduled to open on August 18 instead of August 17. The development was reported from Islamabad on Sunday, adding a one-day shift to a major religious and administrative process followed closely by thousands of intending pilgrims across the country.
According to sources in the Ministry of Religious Affairs, applications under the government scheme will be received through designated Habib Bank branches. The process will operate on a first-come, first-served basis, meaning applicants will need to complete their documentation and deposit the required initial payment as early as possible.
The government is expected to stop receiving further forms once the allocated quota has been filled. This makes the opening phase important for applicants, especially those seeking a seat under the government Hajj scheme, which usually attracts high demand because of its regulated structure and official facilitation.
Ministry sources said Pakistan’s total quota for Hajj 2027 stands at 179,210 pilgrims. Of that number, 60 percent, amounting to 107,526 seats, has been reserved for the government scheme, while the remaining 40 percent, or 71,684 seats, will be handled through private Hajj operators.
The payment plan will require pilgrims to deposit the cost in two equal instalments. Applicants will submit half of the total Hajj expenses at the time of applying, while the remaining amount will be collected later according to the official schedule and instructions issued by the authorities.
The decision comes amid broader preparations for Hajj 2027, including changes linked to Pakistani-origin foreign nationals. Saudi Arabia has approved the inclusion of Pakistan Origin Card holders in Pakistan’s Hajj quota, allowing eligible people of Pakistani origin to apply under the country’s allocation for the first time.
Under that arrangement, one percent of Pakistan’s total Hajj quota will be kept for POC holders. This translates into 1,792 seats for eligible applicants who previously held Pakistani citizenship but later surrendered their nationality and passport while retaining Pakistani origin status.
The Ministry of Religious Affairs is expected to publish detailed conditions for POC holders on its official website. Their participation will also depend on the fulfilment of Saudi visa requirements and the absence of any legal or administrative issue that could affect the issuance of travel documents.
For intending pilgrims, the revised date gives a short additional window to prepare documents, arrange finances and confirm eligibility before the formal application drive begins. The next major step will be the opening of applications through Habib Bank, followed by quota completion, verification and further guidance from the ministry on the remaining Hajj process.