Updated: September 16, 2026

NADRA Vaccination Certificate for Umrah 2026: Complete Guide for Pakistani Pilgrims

Pakistani Umrah pilgrims have a new travel requirement to keep in mind before flying to Saudi Arabia: vaccination proof linked with the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA).

The requirement was initially announced with an implementation date of September 14, 2026. However, the implementation deadline was later extended. For passengers travelling through Jinnah International Airport, Karachi, the new implementation time is September 25, 2026 at 10:00 AM.

This change has created questions among Pakistani travellers preparing for Umrah.

Do you need a NADRA vaccination certificate? Which vaccines are required? Where can you get vaccinated? Can you still travel without the digital certificate before the new deadline?

Here is a simple guide covering the latest information available for Pakistani Umrah travellers.

What Is the NADRA Vaccination Certificate for Umrah?

The NADRA vaccination certificate is a digital vaccination record linked with Pakistan’s national identity database.

Under the new travel arrangement reported by Border Health Services-Pakistan, Umrah pilgrims are required to have vaccination proof integrated with NADRA rather than relying only on older paper vaccination cards.

The original directive instructed airlines and travel agents to inform Umrah passengers that a NADRA-linked digital vaccination card would be required before travel.

NADRA also lists vaccine certificates among the digital services available through its systems, including certificates for diseases such as polio and yellow fever.

The important point for pilgrims is simple:

Having received a vaccine and having the required digital proof are not necessarily the same thing.

Travellers should make sure their vaccination record is available in the required NADRA-integrated format before going to the airport.

When Does the NADRA Vaccination Requirement Start?

The original announcement said that the requirement would become mandatory from September 14, 2026.

However, authorities subsequently extended the implementation deadline.

For Jinnah International Airport, Karachi, the revised deadline is:

September 25, 2026 at 10:00 AM.

The extension followed difficulties in implementing the new system and concerns about the arrangements available for travellers.

Reports also said hundreds of passengers and pilgrims had gathered at airport health facilities while trying to complete the vaccination and verification process before the original deadline.

Important clarification

The September 25 date should not be treated as a universal deadline for every airport in Pakistan without checking the latest instructions for your departure airport.

The clearest publicly reported extension specifically concerns Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport, while officials have indicated that the initiative may be extended to other airports.

For this reason, passengers should confirm the latest requirements with their airline, authorised vaccination centre or travel agent before departure.

Which Vaccines Are Required for Umrah Travellers?

The initial Border Health Services instructions covered vaccinations including:

• Polio
• Meningitis
• Influenza
• Yellow fever

However, the exact requirement can depend on the traveller’s destination, circumstances and applicable health regulations.

For Umrah passengers travelling to Saudi Arabia, reports following the September 14 update specifically identified influenza, meningitis and polio as mandatory requirements for Umrah pilgrims, as well as certain other Saudi-bound travellers.

Yellow fever requirements can apply in connection with travel from or through countries where yellow fever vaccination is required.

This is why travellers should not assume that every vaccine listed in a general international-travel notice applies identically to every passenger.

Why Is the Vaccination Certificate Being Introduced?

The purpose of vaccination requirements is to reduce the risk of infectious diseases spreading through international travel and large gatherings.

Umrah brings together visitors from many countries in crowded religious and transport settings. Saudi Arabia itself advises pilgrims to complete required vaccinations before travelling and to follow health precautions during the pilgrimage.

The NADRA-linked system also creates a digital record that can be checked instead of relying only on traditional paper vaccination documents.

For a traveller, this means vaccination preparation has become another important part of planning an Umrah journey.

How Can Pakistani Pilgrims Get the NADRA Vaccination Certificate?

Travellers should use an authorised vaccination facility and follow the current registration and verification process.

Reports on the new system state that travellers can register through NADRA-related channels, including the PakID app or e-Sahulat facilities, depending on the service available.

For Saudi-bound Umrah pilgrims, the authorities have also identified government-authorised vaccination facilities.

The process generally involves:

Step 1: Complete the required vaccination

Visit an authorised vaccination centre and receive the vaccines required for your journey.

Step 2: Complete NADRA registration or verification

Make sure your vaccination information is properly linked with your NADRA record.

Step 3: Obtain the digital vaccination certificate

Once the vaccination record has been processed, obtain the required NADRA-integrated digital certificate.

Step 4: Check your details

Before travelling, check your name, CNIC information, vaccination details and other important information.

Step 5: Keep a digital and printed copy

Even when the certificate is digital, keeping a printed copy as a backup is a sensible travel precaution.

Can I Travel for Umrah Without the NADRA Certificate?

This is one of the most important questions for people who have already booked their flights.

Because the implementation date was extended, the situation changed from the original September 14 announcement.

For the revised arrangement reported by Border Health Services, Umrah pilgrims travelling through Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport can travel without the NADRA vaccination certificate until September 25, 2026 at 10:00 AM.

After the implementation deadline, passengers should expect the NADRA-integrated vaccination proof to be required under the new system.

Because airport procedures can change, travellers with flights close to the deadline should verify the latest instructions before leaving for the airport.

What Happens If You Already Have an Old Vaccination Card?

This is another area where travellers need to be careful.

The new system is specifically focused on NADRA-integrated vaccination proof.

The original Border Health Services instructions told airlines and travel agents that only proof linked with NADRA would be accepted once the requirement was implemented.

Therefore, passengers should not assume that an old paper vaccination card will automatically be accepted after the new implementation date.

If you already have vaccination records, take them with you when visiting an authorised centre and ask whether they can be incorporated into the required digital record.

Where Can Umrah Pilgrims Get Vaccinated?

The vaccination arrangements are being expanded as authorities prepare for the new system.

For Karachi passengers, the Federal Government Civil Dispensary at the airport area has been used for vaccination services for international travellers.

Authorities have also been working to expand vaccination capacity in Karachi. Reports said an additional facility at Jacob Lines was being developed, while the airport vaccination centre was also being expanded.

Passengers who intend to complete vaccination at the airport should not leave it until the last minute.

Earlier instructions advised passengers needing vaccination at the airport to arrive significantly earlier than normal, with six hours mentioned in the initial guidance.

Why Should You Avoid Waiting Until the Last Day?

The recent experience at Karachi airport shows why early preparation matters.

When the original September 14 deadline approached, large numbers of travellers arrived at vaccination and verification facilities. Reports described long queues, limited facilities and confusion among passengers about who actually needed the certificate.

A traveller may have a confirmed flight, Umrah visa and hotel booking but still face a problem if the required vaccination documentation has not been completed.

For that reason, Umrah travellers should treat vaccination as part of their travel preparation rather than something to handle a few hours before departure.

What Pakistani Umrah Pilgrims Should Do Now

If you are planning to travel for Umrah from Pakistan, use this checklist:

Before your journey:

• Check your latest vaccination requirements.
• Visit an authorised vaccination centre.
• Complete the required vaccines.
• Make sure your vaccination record is linked with NADRA where required.
• Obtain your digital vaccination certificate.
• Check all personal information on the certificate.
• Keep a digital copy on your phone.
• Keep a printed backup.
• Confirm requirements with your airline before departure.
• Reach the airport early, especially if you still need airport health services.

Does the Rule Apply Only to Umrah Pilgrims?

No.

The September 2026 reporting indicates that the vaccination requirement is also relevant to certain other Saudi-bound travellers.

At Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport, officials said the requirement would also apply to Saudi work-visa holders and people planning to stay in Saudi Arabia for more than six months.

This makes the development relevant not only to Umrah travellers but also to some Pakistani workers and long-term visitors travelling to Saudi Arabia.

The exact requirements can vary according to the purpose and length of travel, so passengers should confirm the rules applicable to their own journey.

What Does Saudi Arabia Say About Pilgrim Health Requirements?

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Health publishes health requirements and guidance for people travelling for Hajj and Umrah.

The ministry advises pilgrims to complete necessary vaccinations before travelling and provides additional health guidance for people preparing for the pilgrimage.

Pilgrims are also advised to prepare properly for the physical demands of the journey, stay hydrated, maintain hygiene and take sufficient medication when required.

This means vaccination should be viewed as one part of a wider health preparation plan for Umrah.

Final Advice for Pakistani Umrah Travellers

The new NADRA-linked vaccination system is an important change for people travelling from Pakistan to Saudi Arabia for Umrah.

The biggest lesson from the first few days of implementation is simple: do not leave vaccination documentation until the last minute.

The original September 14 deadline has been extended for implementation at Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport until September 25 at 10:00 AM, but travellers should continue preparing for the new requirement rather than waiting for the deadline.

If you are booking an Umrah package, flight or visa from Pakistan, check your vaccination status early and confirm the latest requirements with your airline or authorised health facility before travelling.

At Al Hamdan Travel & Holidays, we also recommend that Umrah passengers keep all travel documents together, including their passport, Saudi visa, flight ticket, hotel details and required vaccination documentation.

Travel requirements can change, so always check the latest official instructions before departure.

Sources and Official Information

This article is based on the latest available reporting from Border Health Services-related notices, Pakistani news reports, NADRA information and Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Health guidance. The situation is developing, and airport-specific procedures may change.

For official Saudi health requirements, travellers can consult the Saudi Ministry of Health guidance before departure.

For information about NADRA’s digital services and vaccination certificates, travellers can also consult NADRA’s official services.