RIYADH — The deadline for mandatory vaccination of passengers travelling to Saudi Arabia has been extended by one month, officials have confirmed, pushing the start of enforcement at Karachi Airport to November 20.
Under the revised schedule, verification of vaccination requirements for Umrah pilgrims and other passengers bound for the kingdom will begin at 10:00 am on November 20. The previous deadline had been set for October 15, when travel without a vaccination card was to be prohibited outright.
Round-the-Clock Vaccination Services
According to a circular issued on the matter, vaccination services had been operating around the clock at the government dispensary at Karachi Airport to help travellers meet the requirement. Passengers are required to be vaccinated at least 10 days before their date of travel.
Authorities also made the facility available on an emergency basis in the departure lounge at Karachi Airport, catering to pilgrims and other passengers arriving from remote areas who had been unable to secure vaccination earlier.
What the Extension Means for Travellers
The one-month extension offers a window of relief for passengers who have not yet completed their vaccination requirements. Key points for those planning travel include:
- Enforcement of the vaccination card requirement at Karachi Airport now begins on November 20 at 10:00 am.
- Travellers must be vaccinated at least 10 days before departure to comply with the rules.
- Vaccination remains available at the government dispensary at Karachi Airport.
- Emergency vaccination support is offered in the departure lounge for passengers from remote areas.
The extension is expected to ease pressure on pilgrims and other travellers racing to complete their documentation ahead of the revised enforcement date.
