Polio Card is Now Mandatory for Umrah Pilgrims

Polio Card is Now Mandatory for Umrah Pilgrims

According to the health requirements of the embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Islamabad, all Umrah pilgrims from Pakistan must possess a valid polio card to gain entry into the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. For a hassle-free Umrah journey, Pakistani pilgrims are required to get the polio vaccine at least 4 weeks before applying for a Saudi Umrah visa. These measures are in place to help prevent the spread of polio and protect public health in Saudi Arabia. Make sure to read this news article thoroughly to learn the polio vaccination requirements for a safe Umrah trip. Moreover, you can also find recent updates about the left-over polio vaccination and card issuance at the airport from this page.

Significance of Polio Card for Umrah Pilgrims

The polio card serves as an official vaccination record against the Polio Virus. Authorities of the Kingdom have now mandated it for all the Umrah pilgrims from Pakistan. This measure is part of the ongoing efforts to prevent the spread of polio and protect public health in the region. The Umrah visa application submitted without proof of polio vaccination will be rejected directly.

Polio Vaccine Requirement

For a smooth Umrah journey, Pakistani Umrah pilgrims should receive the oral polio vaccine (OPV) at least 4 weeks before their departure doesn’t matter how old they are. Pilgrims must also show their Polio vaccination card at the airport before boarding the Umrah flight. Also, the pilgrims will receive one dose of OPV at the border points of Saudi Arabia upon their arrival. The same goes for travelers under 15 years. They also must get vaccinated with OPV. Again, they need proof that they got the vaccine at least 4 weeks before applying for a Saudi Arabia visa. And when they arrive there, they will also be given one more dose of OPV at the border.

Changes in Polio Card Issuance at the Airport

Previously, the airport counter used to provide polio cards to all Umrah pilgrims on the flight. However, due to the strict adherence to the 4-week vaccination policy, the supply of polio cards has become limited. As a result, only "leftover" passengers or those who missed getting vaccinated earlier due to some emergency will receive polio cards at the airport. Those leftover passengers will get the Polio card at the airport only upon the recommendation of the Federal Ombudsman's Office. To avoid any inconvenience and uncertainty at the airport, prospective Umrah pilgrims are strongly advised to get the polio vaccine well in advance of their travel plans. Visiting your district health offices at least 4 weeks before your Umrah journey is advised to ensure timely vaccination and receipt of the polio card.

Responsibility of the Airline Staff

It would be the responsibility of the airline staff to inform the pilgrims at the time of ticket booking about the polio vaccination requirement. Travelers who have booked their Umrah tickets 30 days prior to their departure should contact their airline and ask them about the polio card requirement. The Airport Health Department will not be held responsible if such passengers do not possess a valid polio card upon arrival at the airport. To prevent any potential issues, travelers should obtain their polio cards beforehand and keep them safely along with their travel documents.