Saudi Arabia has reversed a briefly announced minimum age of 15 for Hajj 2026 pilgrims. The restriction, communicated on May 2, was revoked within hours, and the minimum age for performing Hajj remains 12 years old.

What Happened

On May 2, 2026, Saudi authorities communicated to Pakistan's Director General of Hajj that the minimum age for pilgrims would be raised from 12 to 15 years, calculated as of May 27 (9 Dhul Hijjah 1447 AH). The directive was set to take effect from 12:00am on May 3, and airlines were instructed not to board any pilgrim under the age threshold.

Pakistan's Ministry of Religious Affairs initially confirmed the measure, and Pakistan Airports Authority warned that underage pilgrims would be denied boarding. The announcement caused immediate concern among families who had already completed their Hajj preparations with children aged 12-14.

Rapid Reversal

However, Saudi authorities revoked the restriction shortly after announcing it. Pakistan's Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony confirmed the reversal on the same day, stating that the previous policy allowing pilgrims aged 12 and above has been restored.

According to ARY News, authorities confirmed that visas rejected under the brief 15-year policy will now be reprocessed. Families who had been affected can proceed with their Hajj plans as originally booked.

Current Confirmed Age Rule

The minimum age for Hajj 2026 is 12 years old. Pilgrims aged 12 and above are permitted to perform the pilgrimage. This is consistent with the rule that applied in previous years.

Parents with children under 12 should check with their tour operator, as younger children are generally not issued Hajj visas through the standard quota system.

Lessons for Pilgrims

This episode highlights how quickly regulations can change - and be reversed - during the Hajj preparation period. Pilgrims should rely on confirmed, up-to-date information from official Saudi channels rather than initial reports. The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah website (haj.gov.sa) and the Nusuk platform remain the most authoritative sources for current regulations.

If you receive concerning news about policy changes from your tour operator or social media, wait for official confirmation before making any changes to your travel plans.