Saudi Arabia withdraws 15-year age restriction for Hajj: PAA

Saudi Arabia has withdrawn its previous restriction that barred individuals under the age of 15 from performing Hajj, according to the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA). The decision marks a return to the earlier policy, once again allowing children aged 12 and above to undertake the annual Islamic pilgrimage.

“Visas that were rejected under the 15-year age restriction will be reprocessed,” the PAA said.

Earlier, Pakistan had directed the airport authorities and airlines to ensure strict compliance of the minimum age limit set by Saudi Arabia for Hajj pilgrims.

Saudi Arabia had announced an immediate age restriction for Hajj pilgrims, under which no pilgrim under the age of 15 years (as of 27 May 2026, corresponding to 9th Zulhijjah 1447H – Day of Arafat) was to be permitted to travel to Saudi Arabia for Hajj.

“All relevant authorities at Pakistani airports, including immigration, have been instructed to ensure strict compliance. No pilgrim under the age of 15 years will be allowed to board Hajj flights, and such visas shall be treated as canceled under this policy,” as per the notification then.

The Saudi had authorities further conveyed that affected pilgrims might opt to cancel their Hajj journey and would be entitled to a full refund of the amount deposited.

As many as 119,000 pilgrims from Pakistan will be taken to Medina and Makkah under the government scheme. About 67,230 male pilgrims will be taken to Saudi Arabia under the government scheme while 51,846 female pilgrims will go to the Holy Hijaz.

As many as 129 flights will operate from Islamabad, 124 from Karachi and 104 from Lahore. About 18 flights will depart from Quetta, 34 from Multan and 26 from Sialkot. 23 flights from Faisalabad and five flights from Sukkur will take pilgrims to Saudi Arabia.