Saudi Arabia has reversed its recently announced restriction on younger pilgrims and restored its earlier Hajj age policy, allowing children aged 12 and above to perform the pilgrimage.
According to official communications shared with partner countries, the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has withdrawn the earlier decision that had barred children under 15 years of age from participating in Hajj.
Under the updated instructions, visas that were previously cancelled for underage pilgrims will now be processed again, and affected applications will be reviewed under the restored rules.
Authorities in Pakistan, including the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority and the Directorate General of Hajj Pakistan, confirmed receiving the revised policy and said the earlier restriction has been officially withdrawn.
The earlier rule had only allowed pilgrims aged 15 and above to travel for Hajj, with all younger applicants declared ineligible and their visas cancelled.
However, the new decision brings back the previous system, under which children aged 12 and above can again accompany pilgrims.
Saudi authorities have also instructed Hajj operators to update travel arrangements and reprocess previously rejected applications linked to the age issue.
No official public explanation has been issued yet regarding the sudden policy change.
Hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam, brings millions of Muslims to Makkah every year, and arrangements are made through strict quotas and coordination between Saudi Arabia and participating countries.
Officials said the reversal is expected to reduce confusion among families and travel operators, especially in Pakistan, where visa cancellations had already begun after the earlier announcement.
