Expired passports no hurdle for Hajj sign-up

The Ministry of Religious Affairs has relaxed the passport validity requirement for Hajj registration, allowing applicants to sign up even with expired passports. The revised policy was confirmed in a notification issued by the ministry's Hajj-1 wing on Tuesday. Previously, Bangladeshi pilgrims needed a passport valid for at least six months at the time of registration as well as travel. Under the updated rule, that condition applies only during the visa process.

The ministry has made it clear that while expired passports may be used for registration, visa issuance will require a valid passport, reports bdnews24.com.

Pilgrims must update their information using a current passport when confirming their Personal ID (PID). Without that, visas will not be granted.
The Hajj Agencies Association of Bangladesh (HAAB), meanwhile, announced three private travel packages on Sept 30.

The special package, which includes meals and animal sacrifice, has been priced at Tk 750,000.

The standard package will cost Tk 550,000, and a budget option is set at Tk 510,000.

Earlier, on Sept 18, Religious Affairs Advisor AFM Khalid Hossain introduced three government-managed packages. These are priced at: Tk 690,597 for Package-1; Tk 558,881 for Package-2; Tk 467,167 for Package-3.

A separate general package under private management was also fixed at Tk 509,185. Agencies approved under this scheme will be allowed to offer two additional packages, the advisor said.

Hajj is expected to take place in May 2026, subject to moon sighting. A total of 127,198 Bangladeshi Muslims will be permitted to perform the pilgrimage this year.

According to Saudi Arabia's Hajj roadmap, initial registration began on Jul 27 and will continue until Oct 12.