The Ministry of Religious Affairs has officially started accepting Hajj 2026 applications under the state-sponsored program from today, August 4.
A representative from the ministry confirmed on Sunday that applications will be received at designated banks on a first-come, first-served basis until August 9.
If seats remain unfilled, the ministry will allow non-registered individuals to apply between August 11 and 16. Once the government quota is completed, the online system will be closed for new submissions.
As per the recently announced Hajj Policy 2026, the cost of pilgrimage will range from Rs1,150,000 to Rs1,250,000. Those selecting the 38 to 42-day package are required to deposit Rs500,000 with their application. For the shorter 20 to 25-day option, a deposit of Rs550,000 is mandatory. The remaining payment will be collected from November 1, 2025.
The upper age restriction for applicants has been removed. However, children born after March 1, 2014, are not eligible to apply.
READ MORE: Hajj 2026: Major Update Announced for Pakistani Pilgrims
According to the updated Hajj Policy approved by the federal cabinet, Pakistan’s overall quota remains 179,210 pilgrims. The allocation for the government Hajj scheme has been raised to 119,210, while the private program’s quota has been cut to 60,000, reducing it by half. This adjustment now allocates 66.52% of the total seats to the public sector and 33.48% to private operators.
Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Muhammad Yousuf confirmed the application schedule and emphasized the importance of timely submissions.
