Saudi Arabia has announced a new age restriction for Hajj pilgrims, barring children younger than 15 years from participating in the annual pilgrimage, as confirmed by Pakistan’s aviation authority on Saturday.
The Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority stated that this updated policy will come into effect on May 3, 2026, and will be enforced on all flights designated for Hajj travel. Under these revised regulations, pilgrims below the age of 15 will no longer be allowed to undertake the pilgrimage, and their previously issued visas will be revoked.
Only individuals who will have reached the age of 15 by May 27, 2026, will be eligible to perform Hajj. Saudi authorities have committed to providing full refunds to all pilgrims impacted by this change.
Meanwhile, immigration officials in Saudi Arabia have been directed to prevent any passengers under 15 from boarding flights bound for Hajj. This measure aims to ensure compliance with the new age limit.
Hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam, draws millions of Muslims worldwide annually. The pilgrimage is organized through national quota systems and governed by strict regulatory procedures to manage the vast number of participants.
