Vaccinations and the Vaccination Certificate
Short answer: After Hajj 2027, meningitis and polio vaccines and a NADRA-linked digital vaccination certificate will be mandatory for Umrah. Without the certificate you will not be allowed to travel. Get vaccinated at least 10 days before you travel.
Note: this requirement was due to start on 14 September 2026, but for now it has been postponed until Hajj 2027, so vaccination will be mandatory for Umrah trips after Hajj 2027.
At a glance
| Vaccine | Status | When |
|---|---|---|
| Meningitis (meningococcal ACYW) | Mandatory | At least 10 days before arriving in Saudi Arabia |
| Polio | Mandatory for travellers from Pakistan | Before travel, ideally at least 4 weeks before |
| Seasonal flu (influenza) | Recommended | Before travel |
Step-by-step guide
- Start early: begin as soon as your visa is issued. Don’t leave it to the last days.
- Choose an authorised vaccination centre: get vaccinated only at a government-authorised vaccination centre so your certificate is linked to NADRA. In Islamabad, the Federal Government Civil Dispensary is the authorised vaccination centre. Ask your travel agent for the vaccination centre in your city.
- Pay the fee: the fee is paid through NADRA’s e-Sahulat.
- Take with you: your original CNIC and passport.
- Get vaccinated: meningitis and polio.
- Check the certificate: your name and passport number must match your passport. Save the digital certificate on your phone and carry a printout too.
If you miss it for some reason, vaccination is also available at the airport, but then you must arrive at least 6 hours before your flight. Don’t rely on this; get it done beforehand.
Do
- Tell the doctor before vaccination if you have an illness, are pregnant or take regular medicines.
- If you had a meningitis vaccine before, check whether it is still valid (3 to 5 years, depending on the type).
- Check each family member’s certificate separately, including children and elderly parents.
Don’t
- Don’t accept offers from an unauthorised clinic or agent to “arrange a certificate”. Travel is stopped on a fake certificate and legal action can follow.
- Don’t get vaccinated less than 10 days before travel.
Common mistakes
- Thinking the old paper vaccination card is enough. After Hajj 2027, a NADRA-linked digital certificate will be required.
- A name spelt differently on the certificate and the passport.
- Skipping polio because “I had it as a child”. It is mandatory for travellers from Pakistan of every age.
Frequently asked questions
I did Umrah last year. Do I need the vaccines again? The meningitis vaccine stays valid for 3 to 5 years depending on its type, but polio is needed before every trip. Have the vaccination centre check your certificate dates.
Do children need the vaccines too? Yes, polio and meningitis are required at every age. The vaccination centre’s doctor will decide the dose for young children.
Do I need a yellow fever vaccine? Usually not, if you are flying directly from Pakistan. If you have recently travelled through a country in Africa or South America where yellow fever is present, tell the vaccination centre.
What if I get a fever after the vaccine? A mild fever or a sore arm is normal and settles in a day or two. If it is worse, see a doctor.
Information taken from the Saudi Ministry of Health’s Umrah 1447H health requirements and the Border Health Services Pakistan notice (checked 8 November 2026).