Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport extends the deadline for NADRA-integrated vaccination certificates for Umrah pilgrims until September 25.
KARACHI: The deadline for implementing NADRA-integrated vaccination certificates for Umrah pilgrims travelling from Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport has been extended until September 25 at 10am, according to a notification issued by the Airport Health Department of Border Health Services-Pakistan.
The extension was announced after the federal government recently made it mandatory for international travellers undertaking Hajj or Umrah to carry a NADRA-integrated digital vaccination certificate.
Under the original directive, other vaccination cards were due to become unacceptable from September 14.
Deadline extended for Umrah vaccination certificates
The notification, addressed to the Chief Operating Officer of the Pakistan Airports Authority, said the extension had been granted “in the interest of the public” following a request from relevant government agencies.
The revised deadline applies to vaccination requirements covering polio, meningitis, yellow fever and influenza.
The notification said these vaccinations are mandatory for Umrah pilgrims, work visa holders and individuals planning to stay in Saudi Arabia for more than six months.
Airport Health Officer Dr Sara Saeed directed airlines to inform their travel agents that only NADRA-integrated vaccination proofs would be accepted for travel under the new system after the revised deadline.
Passengers have also been advised to carry their NADRA-integrated digital vaccination card when reporting for boarding.
Vaccination facilities to be available at Karachi airport
The health department said facilities for vaccination and online entry for international departures would be made available within a few days.
Pilgrims wishing to receive vaccination at the airport have been advised to arrive six hours before their scheduled flight to allow sufficient time for the required procedures.
The notice further stated that payments for vaccination services would be made through the NADRA e-Sahulat platform.
The new system is intended to digitally link travellers’ vaccination records and provide a standardised verification mechanism for international departures.
Civil dispensary designated vaccination centre
Earlier directions issued by Federal Minister for National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination Mustafa Kamal designated the Federal Government Civil Dispensary as the authorised vaccination centre for international travellers undertaking Hajj or Umrah.
The extension is aimed at giving passengers, airlines and travel agents additional time to adjust to the new digital vaccination verification system and avoid disruption at the airport.
Travellers planning to perform Umrah are therefore advised to ensure that their vaccination records meet the new requirements before arriving at the airport.
Saudi Arabia vaccination requirements
Saudi authorities had already made polio vaccination mandatory for Umrah pilgrims in 2025, following a formal notification issued by the General Authority of Civil Aviation.
The latest requirements further strengthen vaccination documentation for travellers departing Pakistan for Saudi Arabia, with NADRA-integrated certificates set to become the required form of proof after the extended deadline.