Expired passports allowed for initial Hajj registration
Expired Passports Temporarily Accepted for Hajj 2027 Registration
Thebangladaily.com – Bangladeshis planning to join the Hajj pilgrimage in 2027 may now complete their initial registration even if their passports have expired, following a temporary relaxation introduced by the Ministry of Religious Affairs.
The measure is intended to help prospective pilgrims meet the approaching registration deadline of September 24. It applies only at the initial registration stage and does not remove the requirement to provide a valid passport before the later visa process begins.
In a notification issued on Thursday, September 18, the ministry said applicants can begin the registration process with an expired passport. The change is designed to make it easier for intending pilgrims to secure their place while completing any necessary passport renewal work.
Valid passport still required before visa processing
The relaxation should not be seen as a permanent exemption from passport rules. Pilgrims and Hajj agencies that use expired passports during initial registration must later upload the details of a valid passport to the e-Hajj system before a Pilgrim ID is issued and visa procedures start.
The passport used for the final stage must remain valid until December 31 of next year. This means applicants need to ensure that their renewed or valid travel document meets the required validity period well before their Hajj file reaches the visa stage.
The ministry has made clear that failing to update the e-Hajj system with a passport that satisfies the required condition will prevent a pilgrim from receiving a visa. Initial registration can therefore help preserve an applicant’s opportunity to proceed, but it does not by itself complete the documentation needed for travel.
For families and agencies, the practical message is straightforward: an expired passport will no longer block someone from entering the initial registration process, but passport renewal and the online update remain essential responsibilities. Applicants should not delay those later steps simply because the registration barrier has been eased.
Deadline remains September 24
The initial registration period is set to end on September 24. The Ministry of Religious Affairs has indicated that there will be no further extension of that deadline, making the temporary passport arrangement particularly important for people whose travel documents have recently expired.
By Friday afternoon, 16,281 people had completed their initial registration for Hajj 2027. Of that total, 2,311 registered through the government arrangement, while 13,970 used private arrangements.
The figures show that private arrangements account for the larger share of registrations completed so far. Regardless of the channel selected, both individual pilgrims and agencies must make sure the passport information in the e-Hajj system is updated before the Pilgrim ID and visa stages.
The ministry has said that 78,500 Bangladeshis will be able to perform Hajj in 2027. Initial registration is an important early step for people seeking to be included within that allocation, particularly because the deadline has been described as final.
What the temporary change means for pilgrims
The new arrangement separates two stages that can otherwise create difficulty for applicants. At the first stage, an expired passport can be used to complete the required registration before September 24. At the later stage, the applicant must provide a passport with the prescribed validity through the e-Hajj system.
This distinction gives prospective pilgrims a limited window to register without waiting for a new passport to be issued. However, it also places importance on following through with the updated document, since the visa cannot be issued without it.
Hajj agencies handling registrations with expired passports will likewise need to ensure that the relevant details are corrected in the digital system before the visa process. A registration record that remains linked to a passport lacking the required validity will not be sufficient for final travel clearance.
The ministry’s decision is focused on making the initial application period more accessible while preserving the document standard required for the final process. The passport validity rule remains in force for the visa stage, and applicants must meet it in time.
Expected timing for Hajj 2027
Hajj 2027 is expected to take place in Saudi Arabia on May 15 next year, subject to moon sighting. The pilgrimage date is therefore tied to the Islamic lunar calendar, while registration and document preparation are already underway in Bangladesh.
People intending to travel should treat the initial deadline and the passport update as separate but connected requirements. Completing registration before September 24 is necessary for those seeking to move ahead in the process, while maintaining a valid passport through December 31 next year is necessary before visa issuance.
The temporary acceptance of expired passports offers relief at the opening stage, especially for applicants working against the registration deadline. It does not change the final travel-document requirement, nor does it create a route to a visa without an updated valid passport in the e-Hajj system.
With no further extension expected for initial registration, intending pilgrims have a narrow period to submit their first-stage information. Those registering with expired passports must then ensure their valid passport details are entered into the system before the Pilgrim ID is assigned and visa processing begins.
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