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The Ministry of Religious Affairs, Government of Bangladesh, has issued a critical alert for all Bangladeshi passport holders residing abroad who intend to perform Hajj in 2026 (1447 AH). Due to strict new timelines from Saudi Arabia, the preliminary registration deadline is set for October 12, 2025. This is a non-negotiable cut-off for securing a place within Bangladesh's limited quota of approximately 127,198 pilgrims. The Hajj rituals are tentatively scheduled to begin in the last week of May 2026.
New Travel Relief: Direct Flights from London Now Available
A significant development for the Bangladeshi diaspora in the West is the emergence of specialized Non-Resident Bangladeshi (NRB) Hajj packages offering direct, round-trip travel from London and other major international airports.
Previously, NRBs often had to fly to Dhaka first to join the official Hajj process. Now, authorized Bangladeshi agencies are tailoring premium packages that include direct flights on carriers like Biman Bangladesh Airlines or Saudia. This new convenience removes a major logistical hurdle and allows pilgrims to start and finish their spiritual journey from their country of residence.
The Price Advantage: Why NRBs Choose the Bangladeshi Quota
The soaring number of Bangladeshi diaspora pilgrims from the UK, Europe, and the USA choosing packages tied to the Bangladesh quota is largely driven by a substantial price difference.
Cost from Bangladesh: Basic, longer-duration Hajj packages departing from Dhaka can start from around BDT 5,50,000 to BDT 6,00,000 (roughly £4,000 - £4,500). This figure represents the lower end of Shifting packages, which require moving accommodations in Makkah.
Cost from the West: In comparison, standard packages originating from the UK/USA typically begin at £7,000 to £10,000+.
NRB Package Pricing: While the direct London-origin packages for NRBs are understandably higher than the Dhaka-origin packages (due to international flight costs and better amenities), they offer a valuable cost-saving opportunity compared to packages purchased directly under UK/US quotas, making the pilgrimage financially accessible to thousands.
Complete Hajj 2026 Guidelines for Diaspora Pilgrims
1. Registration and Documentation
Mandatory Registration: All applicants must register through an approved Hajj Agency in Bangladesh.
Pre-Registration Fee: A government fee of BDT 30,000 per person is required to secure pre-registration. This amount is part of the total package cost.
Passport Validity: The Bangladeshi passport used for the Hajj visa must be valid for at least six months beyond the expected return date (i.e., until January 2027).
Required Documents: For pre-registration, NRBs must submit a soft copy of their Bangladeshi Passport (or foreign passport), Birth Certificate, Passport-size photo, a valid mobile number/email, and a copy of their Proof of Residency (BRP/Green Card/Visa) in the country they live in.
2. The Digital Process and Packages
Saudi Platform (Nusuk): The entire Hajj application and package booking system is centrally managed by the Saudi government through the Nusuk Hajj platform. Your chosen Bangladeshi agency must process your visa and package selection through this mandatory portal.
Package Details: Official package prices from the Ministry of Religious Affairs (Government and Private) are typically announced after the finalisation of airfare and Mashair service costs. The Ministry has expressed an aim to lower overall costs for 2026.
Accommodation Types: Pilgrims can choose between Shifting packages (lower cost, requires moving accommodation in Makkah before and after Hajj rituals) or Non-Shifting packages (higher cost, staying in one hotel closer to the Haram throughout the stay).
3. Health and Logistics
Mandatory Vaccination: All pilgrims require a certificate of vaccination against Meningococcal Meningitis (ACWY strains). This certificate must be issued at least 10 days prior to arrival in Saudi Arabia. Other vaccines like Seasonal Influenza are strongly recommended.
Air Travel: NRB packages flying directly from London will use designated Hajj flights. These flights may utilize airports like Jeddah (JED) or Madinah (MED).
Age Restriction: The official minimum age requirement for Hajj is 18 years and above. Minors must be accompanied by their parents/guardians.
Pilgrims are strongly advised to finalize their arrangements with an accredited Hajj agency immediately, as the early October deadline, combined with the limited quota, means delays will likely result in missing the 2026 pilgrimage season.
