The Ministry of Religious Affairs has said that Hajj pilgrims do not need to submit their passports to the Hajj office to apply for a visa through the biometric system.

On Sunday, the ministry sent instructions in this regard for the information of 2023 Hajj pilgrims, Hajj agencies and all concerned.

The new guidelines stated that the Saudi government has introduced new rules for lodging visa applications for Hajj pilgrims. According to this rule, all Hajj pilgrims will have to apply for visa through biometric method this year. Necessary preparations are being made to process visa applications through biometric mode.

For that purpose, Hajj pilgrims are requested to keep their passports with themselves instead of submitting them to the Hajj office in Ashkona, Dhaka.

The instructions also said that those who have already submitted their passports are also requested to take it back from the Hajj office. All concerned including Hajj pilgrims will be informed about this at various times.