{
  "id": 7337000,
  "title": "Karachi-Saudi travel: Nadra-linked vaccination card mandatory from Sept 25 for pilgrims, workers, those staying 6 months or more",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/14/karachi-saudi-travel-nadra-linked-vaccination-card-mandatory-from",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-09-14T14:37:30.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Dawn",
    "slug": "dawn",
    "url": "https://www.dawn.com/news/2029889/karachi-saudi-travel-nadra-linked-vaccination-card-mandatory-from-sept-25-for-pilgrims-workers-those-staying-6-months-or-more"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Starting from September 25, Haj and Umrah pilgrims, work visa holders, and those who plan to stay in Saudi Arabia for over half a year will need a vaccination card linked to their National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) account to travel from Karachi's Jinnah International Airport, according to an official. This amendment was made by Border Health Services-Pakistan (BHS-P), who initially announced the requirement on September 7 and extended the application deadline from September 14 to Sept 25 at 10am. The original mandate covered vaccinations against polio, meningitis, yellow fever, and influenza for all travelers. BHS-P's new notice, obtained by Dawn, clarified that the requirement now applies to workers and individuals staying in KSA for more than six months, emphasizing that influenza, meningitis, and polio vaccines are essential for Umrah pilgrims, work visa holders, and long-term residents. Dr. Syed Ghulam Murtaza Shah, BHS-P's International Health Regulation Focal Person, confirmed that the Nadra-linked vaccination certificate would be mandatory for workers and long-term residents as well. The initiative is set to extend to additional airports in the future. Previously, BHS-P instructed all airlines to ensure their travel agents communicated that proof of vaccination linked to Nadra would be the sole acceptable form of documentation for travelers going forward. Station managers of all airlines were also asked to inform their travel agents that Umrah pilgrims must obtain a digital vaccine card linked to Nadra from an authorized vaccination center before departing. The BHS-P added that vaccination and online registration services would be available at the airport in the coming days, advising passengers to arrive at the airport six hours before their flight if they need vaccination. The fee for the vaccination would be paid through Nadra’s e-Sahulat platform.",
  "summary": "Haj and Umrah pilgrims, work visa holders and those planning to stay in Saudi Arabia for more than six months will be required to carry a National Database and Registration Authority-linked vaccination certificate from Sept 25 onwards when travelling from Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport, an official said. The development came as Border Health Services-Pakistan (BHS-P) extended the deadline…",
  "key_points": [
    "Mandatory vaccination card linked to Nadra account required for Karachi-Saudi travel from Sept 25.",
    "Applies to Haj and Umrah pilgrims, work visa holders, and long-term residents.",
    "Influenza, meningitis, and polio vaccines essential for Umrah pilgrims, workers, and residents."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Dawn - Pakistan",
        "title": "Karachi-Saudi travel: Nadra-linked vaccination card mandatory from Sept 25 for pilgrims, workers, those staying 6 months or more",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/14/karachi-saudi-travel-nadra-linked-vaccination-card-mandatory-from-7339221",
        "published": "2026-09-14T14:37:30.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}