NADRA Suspends Madinah Office Services During Hajj Season 2026
NADRA Suspends Madinah Office Services During Hajj Season 2026. The National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) has officially announced the temporary suspension of its services at the Madinah office during Hajj Season 2026. This decision directly affects Pakistani nationals living in or traveling through Saudi Arabia who may need NADRA-related services during this period. However, the authorities have ensured that alternative arrangements are in place so that no citizen faces unnecessary difficulties in accessing essential identity and registration services.
Latest Update (October 2026)
The Madinah office has reopened. NADRA resumed full operations at its Madinah Registration Centre on Sunday, July 12, 2026, after the Hajj season officially ended and in line with directives issued by the Saudi authorities. The office had remained closed since April 12, 2026. Pakistani nationals living in Madinah and surrounding areas can once again access NADRA services there, including new NICOP applications, renewals, modifications and other identity-related services. Source: Bloom Pakistan, July 2026
The Hajj 2026 pilgrimage itself concluded smoothly: Saudi Arabia declared the season closed after more than 1.7 million pilgrims from around the world participated, and Pakistan’s post-Hajj repatriation flights carried the full national quota of pilgrims back home during June 2026. Source: Shafaqna / The News, June 2026
Meanwhile, a new rule affects anyone visiting the Consulate General of Pakistan in Jeddah for in-person services: from October 1, 2026, NADRA and passport (MRP) services at the Jeddah Consulate are provided only through prior appointments. Citizens must book, view or cancel their appointments in advance through the Consulate’s Online Appointment Portal, and should familiarise themselves with the new procedure before visiting. The move is intended to reduce overcrowding and long queues, with designated time slots making visits more predictable. Helpline numbers for assistance are 012-6689149, 055-8577893, 055-8606308 and 050-1914472. Source: Bloom Pakistan, Sep 2026
Another development relevant to Pakistani pilgrims: Pakistan’s Airport Health Department has announced that only NADRA-integrated vaccination certificates are accepted for Umrah and Hajj travellers since September 14, 2026, covering polio, meningitis, yellow fever and influenza records. Airlines have been directed to ensure that Umrah travellers obtain the NADRA-integrated digital vaccination card from authorised vaccination centres before departure. Source: Bloom Pakistan, Sep 2026
The Pak ID mobile application remains the most convenient alternative for anyone who cannot visit an office in person: overseas Pakistanis can apply for or renew their NICOP, track applications and manage registration services remotely at any time.
Suspension of NADRA Madinah Office Services
The suspension of NADRA services at the Madinah office came into effect on April 12, 2026. This decision was made following official directions issued by the Consulate General of Pakistan in Jeddah. The closure is not permanent and will remain in place only until the Hajj Season 2026 concludes.
Pakistani nationals who had planned to visit the Madinah office for their NADRA-related needs, such as identity card renewal, registration, or documentation services, will need to make alternative arrangements during this time. The authorities have been proactive in communicating this suspension so that citizens can plan accordingly and avoid unnecessary travel to the Madinah office.
Why Has the Madinah Office Been Temporarily Closed?
Every year, the Hajj season brings millions of pilgrims to Saudi Arabia, including a significant number from Pakistan. During this period, administrative and logistical demands increase considerably across the country. The Consulate General of Pakistan in Jeddah plays a central role in managing the affairs of Pakistani pilgrims and nationals during this busy time.
Given the extraordinary scale of the Hajj season and the increased workload on Pakistani diplomatic and government offices in Saudi Arabia, it was deemed necessary to temporarily suspend operations at the Madinah NADRA office. This allows resources and staff to be redirected where they are needed most, ensuring smoother management of Pakistani nationals during one of the most important religious events in the world.
This kind of administrative adjustment is a practical and responsible step, ensuring that services remain effective and manageable during a period of peak demand.
Alternative Arrangements: Jeddah NADRA Center Steps Up
Recognizing that Pakistani nationals still require access to NADRA services during the Hajj season, the authorities have made solid alternative arrangements. The most significant step taken is the increase in staffing at the NADRA Registration Center in Jeddah.
By deploying additional staff at the Jeddah center, the authorities aim to accommodate a larger number of applicants and reduce waiting times. Pakistani nationals who urgently require NADRA services are encouraged to visit the Jeddah NADRA Registration Center, where they will find enhanced capacity and support to meet their needs.
This proactive measure shows a clear commitment to ensuring that the temporary closure of the Madinah office does not become a major inconvenience for Pakistani citizens residing in or visiting Saudi Arabia.
Pak ID Mobile Application: Services at Your Fingertips
One of the most convenient alternatives available to Pakistani nationals during this period is the Pak ID mobile application. NADRA has confirmed that its services will remain fully accessible through this app, allowing users to avail a range of registration and documentation services remotely, without the need to visit any office in person.
The Pak ID app is a digital platform developed by NADRA to bring essential identity services closer to Pakistani citizens, whether they are living in Pakistan or abroad. During the suspension of the Madinah office, this app becomes especially important for overseas Pakistanis in Saudi Arabia.
Through the Pak ID mobile application, users can:
- Apply for or renew their NADRA identity cards
- Track the status of their applications
- Access and manage registration services from anywhere at any time
For Pakistani nationals who may find it difficult to travel to Jeddah during the Hajj season, the Pak ID app offers a practical and time-saving solution to meet their documentation needs without any physical visit.
Official Advisory for Pakistani Citizens
Pakistani citizens in Saudi Arabia have been officially advised to contact the Consulate General of Pakistan in Jeddah for any further information or assistance regarding NADRA services during the suspension period. The Consulate General remains the primary point of contact for all queries related to this temporary closure.
Citizens are encouraged to stay updated through official channels and to make use of the available alternatives, including the Jeddah NADRA center and the Pak ID mobile application, to ensure that their documentation needs are met without delay.
Conclusion
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the NADRA Madinah office open now?
Yes. NADRA resumed full operations at its Madinah Registration Centre on July 12, 2026, after the Hajj season ended. Pakistani nationals in Madinah and surrounding areas can access NICOP applications, renewals, modifications and other identity services there again.
Do I need an appointment to visit the NADRA office at the Jeddah Consulate?
Yes. From October 1, 2026, NADRA and passport (MRP) services at the Consulate General of Pakistan in Jeddah are provided only through prior appointments booked via the Consulate’s Online Appointment Portal.
Can I still use the Pak ID app instead of visiting an office?
Yes. NADRA services remain fully accessible through the Pak ID mobile application, where overseas Pakistanis can apply for or renew their NICOP, track applications and manage registration services remotely.
Is a NADRA vaccination certificate required for Umrah or Hajj?
Yes. Since September 14, 2026, only NADRA-integrated digital vaccination certificates (covering polio, meningitis, yellow fever and influenza) are accepted for Umrah and Hajj travellers departing from Pakistan.
The temporary suspension of NADRA’s Madinah office during Hajj 2026 was a well-managed administrative decision taken in coordination with the Consulate General of Pakistan in Jeddah. With Hajj concluded and the office reopened on July 12, 2026, Pakistani nationals in Madinah once again have full access to NADRA services close to home.
The increased capacity at the NADRA Registration Center in Jeddah, the new appointment-only system introduced there in October 2026, and round-the-clock services through the Pak ID mobile application ensure that citizens in Saudi Arabia can continue to access the services they need without significant disruption. Pakistani nationals are advised to check the Consulate General’s official channels before visiting any office and to carry their NADRA-integrated vaccination certificate when travelling for Umrah.
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