Pakistan has extended the deadline for enforcing its new NADRA-linked digital vaccination card for international travellers, including Umrah pilgrims, until September 25. The extension means pilgrims can continue to travel without the digital card for now, easing pressure on thousands preparing to depart for the Kingdom.

According to sources in the country's Border Health Services (BHS), the requirement had been scheduled to take effect at midnight on Monday, September 14. A meeting of the Border Health Services agreed to defer implementation, and officials said a formal notification confirming the extension would be issued.

Why the deadline was pushed back

The delay followed concerns raised by the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) about the practical readiness of the new system. In a letter, the PAA recommended extending implementation until October 1, warning that rolling out the requirement without adequate prior notice would be difficult for both travellers and airport staff.

The authority urged that a clear strategy be developed after consultation with all stakeholders, and that the digital vaccination card be introduced in phases rather than all at once. It noted that the requirement had been communicated with very little lead time, with the Airport Health Office informing the PAA on September 7 that the card would become mandatory for international passengers from September 14.

The PAA also pointed out that only one dispensary had been designated to issue the cards at Karachi's Jinnah International Airport. It cautioned that enforcing the rule without proper operational coordination could create serious administrative and logistical problems at the airport.

What pilgrims need to know

The NADRA-integrated digital vaccination card has been made mandatory for Umrah pilgrims and travellers heading to Gulf countries. In its initial phase, the system is being introduced only at Karachi airport, with a wider rollout expected to follow once the framework is fully in place.

The digital card links a traveller's vaccination record to their national identity database, allowing health authorities to verify immunisations electronically rather than relying on paper certificates. Saudi Arabia requires Umrah pilgrims to hold valid vaccination coverage, most notably the quadrivalent meningococcal ACWY vaccine, which remains a separate and continuing requirement regardless of the card's format.

For pilgrims travelling before September 25, the extension removes an immediate obstacle. However, the reprieve is temporary, and travellers should assume the digital card will become a firm requirement in the near future.

Practical tips for departing pilgrims

Pilgrims planning Umrah in the coming weeks should keep both physical and digital copies of their vaccination records ready. Even during the extension period, carrying a valid ACWY meningitis certificate remains essential, as Saudi entry requirements are unchanged.

  • Confirm your vaccinations early: Ensure the meningococcal ACWY vaccine and any other required immunisations are administered well ahead of travel, as some take time to become effective.
  • Register for the NADRA card now: Even though enforcement is delayed, obtaining the digital card early avoids last-minute queues once it becomes mandatory.
  • Check with your travel operator: Requirements can change at short notice, so confirm the latest rules with a licensed Umrah operator or the airline before departure.
  • Allow extra time at the airport: As new health-check systems come online, processing at departure points may be slower than usual.

Pilgrims are advised to rely only on official channels for the most current guidance and to treat unofficial claims about relaxed requirements with caution.