If you are flying for Umrah from Karachi, you can no longer board without your vaccinations. Authorities at Jinnah International Airport have resumed enforcing mandatory vaccination requirements for Umrah pilgrims after a temporary exemption expired on October 10, 2026.
The rule applies to pilgrims travelling to Saudi Arabia for Umrah, who must now show valid polio and meningitis vaccinations before departure. The certificates are linked digitally with NADRA, so travellers should make sure their records are verified well before reaching the airport to avoid being held back at check-in.
Key Takeaways
- Mandatory polio and meningitis vaccination resumed at Karachi airport after the October 10, 2026 exemption expired.
- A 24/7 Border Health Services vaccination centre near Star Gate serves international travellers; fees apply for meningitis (Rs2,785) and influenza (Rs1,720), polio is free.
- Pilgrims should get vaccinated at least 10 days before departure and confirm their NADRA-linked certificates are verified to avoid delays.
Why the Requirement Is Back
The enforcement was not sudden. Pakistan’s Border Health Services had originally planned to make NADRA-integrated vaccination certificates mandatory for international travellers from September 14, 2026. But the rollout hit operational snags: at the time, the Federal Government Civil Dispensary near the airport’s old terminal was the only authorised vaccination point, and limited capacity plus heavy passenger demand made the deadline unworkable for thousands of pilgrims with already-booked flights.
The deadline was pushed twice. First to September 25, after Jinnah International Airport’s management warned that implementing the directive without proper multi-agency coordination would create severe operational risks. Then, for Umrah pilgrims departing from Karachi, the exemption was stretched to October 10 — while Peshawar kept its own separate timeline, with mandatory vaccination taking effect there from October 15.
With that grace period now over, the requirement is firmly back in force at Karachi.
What Vaccines Are Required
Under the current arrangements at Karachi airport, Umrah pilgrims must have:
- Polio vaccination — provided free of charge
- Meningitis vaccination — costs Rs2,785; reportedly protects for three years
- Influenza vaccination — costs Rs1,720; reportedly effective for one year
Other vaccines are administered based on destination and itinerary. Travellers heading to certain countries in Africa, North America, Central America or South America must also obtain yellow fever vaccination, and passengers transiting for more than 10 hours through those regions fall under the same rule. Requirements also vary by age: officials have stated that influenza vaccination applies to travellers aged one year and above, while meningitis vaccination applies to those aged 12 and above. Special guidance exists for pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers.
Foreign nationals have been exempted from the applicable vaccination requirements, according to Border Health Services.
The 24-Hour Vaccination Centre
To keep departures moving, Border Health Services has activated the International Traveller Vaccination Centre at the Civil Dispensary near Star Gate at Karachi airport, offering round-the-clock service. Five NADRA facilitation counters have also been set up at the airport dispensary to help passengers with registration and certificate processing.
Dr Ghulam Murtaza Shah, the Border Health focal person, said arrangements had been made to administer vaccines and issue certificates at the airport. He added that vaccination centres in Larkana and Hyderabad would be activated in the next phase — a meaningful step for residents of rural Sindh, who would otherwise have to travel all the way to Karachi just to complete the formalities.
Travellers are also advised to complete vaccination at least 10 days before departure, as some vaccines take time to become effective and recognised.
How to Pay and Verify
Vaccination fees can be paid through NADRA’s Pak ID application or the e-Sahulat platform. Officials have said payment receipts remain valid for 90 days, and travellers facing biometric verification problems can be referred to authorised staff for assistance.
One practical tip that has emerged from the airport health authorities: a significant part of the overcrowding at the airport health centre has come from travellers arriving without having paid the prescribed fees in advance. Paying through the Pak ID app before reaching the airport can save you a long wait.
Passengers who still need vaccination at the airport have previously been advised to arrive at least six hours before their scheduled departure, given that the certificate must be processed and verified before boarding.
Airlines Are Checking Too
The enforcement is not limited to the health counters. Airlines and their station managers have been directed to inform passengers about the requirements and verify that Umrah pilgrims hold valid vaccination certificates before issuing boarding passes. Travel agents have also received awareness notices, making it important to confirm with your agent or airline well ahead of travel day — especially if your booking was made weeks ago, when the exemption was still in place.
What Pilgrims Should Do Now
For anyone travelling to Saudi Arabia for Umrah from Karachi, the checklist is now straightforward:
- Confirm your vaccine status — check which of polio, meningitis and influenza you need, based on your age and travel history.
- Get vaccinated early — at least 10 days before departure, at an authorised centre or the airport’s 24-hour facility.
- Pay fees in advance — use NADRA’s Pak ID app or e-Sahulat to avoid queues; keep your receipt.
- Verify your NADRA certificate — make sure your digital vaccination record is properly linked and verifiable before you reach the airport.
- Arrive early — if anything still needs sorting at the airport, give yourself extra time before departure.
The resumption of mandatory vaccination enforcement marks the end of a month of shifting deadlines and repeated extensions. For pilgrims, the message is clear: get your health documents in order before you pack your bags, and your departure from Karachi should proceed without a hitch.
