Short-term passports for Haj pilgrims

The Saudi Government has made international passports compulsory for all Haj pilgrims from now on. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has assured us minimal problems for the pilgrims and has promised to extend all possible help with regard to issuing of passports, said Maulana Mohammad Moazzam Ahmed,a member of the Haj Committee of India. The aspirant Hajis,who are registered,will submit all their particulars to the Haj Committees in the states,which will in turn forward the passport request.

The MEA has directed the passport officers to issue special passports within 15 days for those applicants of Haj pilgrimage who do not have passports and have applied through the Haj Committees. While the process will minimise delays,the pilgrims have the option of converting these passports into normal ones.

The special passports,with a validity of eight months,will be made after filling out special forms available with the Haj Committees. A fee of Rs 500 will be charged. The users of these passports can only travel for the pilgrimage, Ahmed said.