The Pilgrims Affairs Office of Ghana (PAOG) has set Monday, February 16, 2026, as the final deadline for the submission of Ghanaian passports by all prospective Hajj pilgrims for onward processing to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
According to a statement issued by the Communications Director of PAOG, Alhaji Mohammed Amin Lamptey Hussein on February 12, 2026, stated that the directive affects all fully paid prospective pilgrims for the 2026 Hajj, including those who made payments through agents, paid directly to the office, or are being processed under special arrangements.
The office explained that passports must be submitted to the PAOG Secretariat not later than the stated deadline to enable timely processing of visas by the Saudi authorities.
It cautioned that failure to comply within the stipulated timeframe would result in applicants being unable to participate in this year’s Hajj pilgrimage.
PAOG indicated that the deadline was communicated by the Saudi authorities and forms part of a fast-track visa processing schedule which must be strictly adhered to.
To ease the process, PAOG said it is collaborating with the Passport Office to facilitate expedited passport services for applicants who may require urgent assistance to meet the deadline.
The office urged all affected pilgrims to act promptly to avoid any inconvenience, stressing that the directive applies to all fully paid applicants without exception.
While expressing regret over the short notice, PAOG appealed to all stakeholders to cooperate to ensure a smooth and timely visa submission process.
Source: Muhammed Faisal Mustapha
