Easier, Cheaper, better: Hajj from Pakistan for Expats in GCC Countries
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If you're a Pakistani expat living in Oman, UAE, Qatar, or Bahrain and planning to perform Hajj, you're probably wondering: should I go from my country of residence — or from Pakistan?
When I performed Hajj as an expat from Oman, this exact question weighed heavily on me. After going through the process, I now firmly believe that going from Pakistan is a smarter and more practical choice for many expats — especially first-time pilgrims.
Based on my personal journey, here are the key reasons why this option is more cost-effective, less stressful, and spiritually smoother.
1. Tough Quota System for Expats in the GCC
In countries like Oman, UAE, Qatar, and Bahrain:
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Hajj quotas for expats are limited and competitive but if you still want to apply from GCC country, here is link to our detailed guide on how to apply from Oman.
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Applications go through a nationality-based lottery system.
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| Oman Hajj 2025 Lottery results |
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Citizens have very high quota, leaving many expats unselected.
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Repeat Hajj is restricted (every 5–10 years).
✅ In Pakistan: You can apply directly via the government or private schemes — most private packages don’t require a lottery.
2. Tight Deadlines & Risk of Disqualification in GCC
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The Hajj lottery in GCC countries opens months in advance, often for a few days only. Typically, a week only.
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Minor issues like a passport having expiry less than 6 months or missing vaccination record can result in rejection. The applicant must have valid visa for at least 8 months covering complete Hajj season.
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Many expats lose their chance due to small, fixable errors.
✅ In Pakistan: You often have more time to apply, especially with private operators. In some cases, you can book just a few weeks before departure.
3. Cost Comparison – GCC vs Pakistan
| Country | Estimated Cost | In PKR (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Oman | OMR 2,000–2,500 | PKR 1.4M–1.75M |
| UAE | AED 25,000–30,000 | PKR 1.9M–2.3M |
| Qatar | QAR 22,000–28,000 | PKR 1.7M–2.2M |
| Pakistan | PKR 1.1M–1.3M (Private) | – |
💡 Savings: You could save PKR 300,000–600,000 by going from Pakistan, depending on the package and services.
4. Comfort of Traveling with Fellow Pakistanis
In the GCC, Hajj groups are often multinational, mixing cultures, languages, and rituals.
🇵🇰 From Pakistan:
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You’ll travel with fellow Pakistanis
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Orientation sessions and guides are in Urdu
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Food and daily routines are culturally familiar
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Easier to bond and support each other — especially for elders
5. Smoother Logistics for Pakistani Passport Holders
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Traveling from Pakistan means no complex residency paperwork
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Direct flights to Makkah or Madinah
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Operators are experienced in handling Pakistani pilgrims
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Easier to coordinate if traveling with family from different cities in Pakistan
Final Thoughts
While performing Hajj from the GCC is possible, it often comes with uncertainty, strict quotas, and higher costs. As a Pakistani expat, going from Pakistan offers more flexibility, better group experiences, and significant cost savings — especially for first-timers or elderly pilgrims.
🕋 May your Hajj be accepted and spiritually fulfilling. Please write to us in comments for any kind of query.
📌 Coming Soon: We’ll be sharing a full step-by-step guide on how to apply and perform Hajj from Pakistan as a GCC-based expat — stay tuned for that!
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