Bangladeshi expatriates are seeking permission to travel directly from their countries of residence to Saudi Arabia for Hajj, rather than returning to Bangladesh first. The demand has gained renewed attention as preliminary registration for the 2027 Hajj is under way. Under the current arrangement described in the report, expatriates must return to Bangladesh to complete registration and begin their Hajj journey, which they say adds time, cost and travel hardship.

A July 13 notice from the Ministry of Religious Affairs said non-resident Bangladeshis may perform Hajj through either government or private arrangements. E-Hajj pre-registration requires Bangladeshi passport, national ID card or birth registration certificate, photograph, WhatsApp-enabled number, Bangladeshi bank account details and proof of legal residence abroad. Expatriate leader Maulana Anisur Rahman said about 87,000 people performed Hajj under Bangladesh's roughly 127,000-person quota in 2025.

Hajj Agencies Association of Bangladesh Secretary General Farid Ahmed Mazumder said the association wants direct travel access and is working to introduce it this year. Additional Secretary Dr Ayatul Islam said the ministry views the matter positively and has sent a letter. Joint Secretary Dr Manjurul Haque said Saudi guidance for this year has not yet arrived, while contact continues through Bangladesh's Hajj Office in Saudi Arabia.