NADRA Vaccination Certificate Required for Overseas Travel From Sept 14

KARACHI: International passengers departing Pakistan face new vaccination-document requirements from September 14, with travellers being directed to carry vaccination proof integrated with the National Database and Registration Authority system. The measure is intended to standardise verification of required vaccinations at airports and make passenger health records digitally verifiable before boarding international flights.

An official directive issued through airport health authorities requires travellers covered by the new arrangements to obtain a NADRA-linked vaccination certificate. Umrah pilgrims have been specifically instructed to secure the digital certificate before departure, while airlines have been asked to check the required documentation during the boarding process. Pakistan International Airlines has also advised passengers about the requirement ahead of its implementation.

The vaccination framework covers polio, meningitis, yellow fever and influenza. The precise vaccination requirement can depend on the traveller's category and destination, but authorities are moving toward digital verification through the NADRA-linked system rather than relying on conventional paper vaccination cards. Officials have indicated that other forms of vaccination documentation will no longer substitute for the prescribed digital certificate where the new requirement applies.

Passengers can obtain the digital document through the NADRA-linked vaccination system after their vaccination record has been entered by an authorised facility. Travellers can use their identity or passport information to access their record and download a certificate carrying a QR code. A Rs100 certificate fee can be paid through available electronic payment options, including bank cards and mobile-payment services.

Authorities are also arranging vaccination and digital-entry facilities for passengers at international departure areas. Travellers who need vaccinations at the airport have been advised to arrive at least six hours before their scheduled flight so there is enough time for vaccination, record entry and certificate processing. Using an authorised vaccination centre before reaching the airport is expected to reduce the risk of delays on the day of travel.

Travel industry representatives have raised concerns about the short implementation period and the availability of required vaccines. They have also warned that passengers attempting to complete several vaccination requirements immediately before departure could face practical difficulties. The concerns increase the possibility of congestion at health counters as the September 14 deadline takes effect.

The change has immediate implications for Pakistanis travelling abroad, particularly Umrah and Hajj passengers and others whose destinations have specific vaccination requirements. Anyone scheduled to depart after the deadline will need to check which vaccinations apply to their journey, ensure those records are correctly entered into the digital system and obtain the required certificate before arriving for check-in.

Airlines and airport health authorities are expected to continue issuing implementation guidance as the system takes effect. Passengers with imminent international travel should verify their documentation in advance rather than relying on airport processing, especially while vaccination centres, airlines and border-health officials adjust to the new digital verification procedure.