Karachi-Saudi travel: Nadra-linked vaccination card must from Sept 25 for pilgrims, workers, those staying 6 months or more

Starting from September 25, 2026, pilgrims, work visa holders, and individuals planning to stay in Saudi Arabia for more than six months will be required to carry a vaccination card linked to Pakistan's National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) when traveling from Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport, according to an official.

The decision, which initially applied only to Haj and Umrah pilgrims, has been extended to Sep 25, 2026, from the initial deadline of Sep 14. The expansion was announced by Border Health Services-Pakistan (BHS-P) on September 7 and later communicated to the Karachi airport's chief operating officer. The new rule mandates mandatory vaccinations against polio, meningitis, yellow fever, and influenza for all travelers, particularly Umrah pilgrims, work visa holders, and those staying in the Kingdom for over six months.

BHS-P's International Health Regulation Focal Person, Dr. Syed Ghulam Murtaza Shah, clarified that the vaccination certificate requirement would also apply to workers and long-stayers. The initiative will be extended to additional airports in the future. Airlines are requested to inform their travel agents that only NADRA-linked vaccination proof will be accepted for travel.

BHS-P also urges station managers to inform travel agents that Umrah pilgrims must obtain a digital vaccine card from an authorized vaccination center before departure. Vaccination and online registration facilities will be available at the airport in the coming days, with passengers advised to arrive six hours prior to their flight if they need vaccination at the airport, paying the fee through Nadra’s e-Sahulat platform.