Bangladesh has opened pre-registration for the 2027 Hajj season to Non-Resident Bangladeshi (NRB) citizens, allowing expatriates to join the pilgrimage under the country's official quota. The Ministry of Religious Affairs announced the move on 16 July 2026, and primary registration for pilgrims inside the country is set to begin on 27 July.
The step brings Bangladesh in line with neighbouring South Asian nations that have already opened their Hajj 2027 processes. It reflects the early planning timetable that Saudi Arabia has urged all pilgrim-sending countries to follow, as the Kingdom prepares operational schedules with dozens of partner states.
Who can pre-register and how
Pre-registration for NRB citizens is being handled through Bangladesh's e-Hajj system at www.hajj.gov.bd. According to the Ministry of Religious Affairs, expatriates wishing to perform Hajj may do so either through the government scheme or through private arrangements.
Applicants must have several documents ready before registering. These include a Bangladeshi passport, National Identity Card, or birth certificate, along with a passport-size photograph, a mobile number linked to WhatsApp, and Bangladesh bank account information. The ministry noted that a single bank account may be used for more than one member of the same family.
During the process, NRB applicants must enter their expatriate details into the e-Hajj system and upload valid proof of residence that names their country of residence. Once the official package is announced, interested pilgrims will select it through the same system to complete registration.
Packages and next steps
The Ministry of Religious Affairs said the Hajj Package and Guidelines for 2027 will be announced shortly. Registered pilgrims will be required to perform Hajj in accordance with the directives issued by the Saudi government, which sets the rules governing accommodation, transport, and movement at the holy sites.
For pilgrims inside Bangladesh, primary registration is scheduled to open on 27 July 2026. Authorities have advised applicants to keep their documents and payment arrangements in order so that they can complete each stage within the announced deadlines and avoid delays.
Hajj is the fifth pillar of Islam and is obligatory once in a lifetime for Muslims who are physically and financially able to undertake it. Bangladesh sends tens of thousands of pilgrims each year under its Saudi-allocated quota, and demand consistently exceeds the number of available seats, making early registration important.
Part of a wider regional push
Bangladesh is one of several countries moving early on Hajj 2027. India began accepting applications in June 2026 under a Saudi-allocated quota, while Pakistan opened its own mandatory registration and reported that more than 340,000 people had signed up under a new multi-year plan. Saudi Arabia has said its focus for the 2027 season is operational readiness, and the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has built a timetable in coordination with dozens of pilgrim-sending nations covering housing in Makkah and Madinah, transport, catering, and flights.
For Bangladesh, opening the process to expatriate citizens widens access to a community that has long sought clearer routes to perform the pilgrimage from abroad. The government has framed the e-Hajj system as a way to make registration transparent and to reduce the role of intermediaries, echoing a broader regional shift toward digital pilgrim management.
Officials have urged applicants not to delay. Because pre-registration establishes a place in the queue, those who register early are generally better positioned when final seats are allocated under the quota. The ministry has said the 2027 package and guidelines will follow soon, after which pilgrims can complete registration by selecting the announced package.
Practical tips for prospective pilgrims
Prospective pilgrims should take several practical steps now. First, gather the required documents early, including a valid passport, National Identity Card or birth certificate, a recent photograph, and bank account details. Second, ensure the mobile number provided is active on WhatsApp, since it will be used for official communication. Third, NRB applicants should prepare clear proof of residence abroad before starting the online form.
Finally, pilgrims should rely only on the official e-Hajj portal and Ministry of Religious Affairs announcements for package details and deadlines, and should wait for the 2027 package and guidelines before making financial commitments. Watching for the primary registration opening on 27 July will help ensure applications are submitted on time.