Bangladesh Bank Directs Banks To Remain Open On 25-26 September For Hajj 2027 Registration Fees

Dhaka, September 23, 2026 — Bangladesh Bank has instructed relevant bank branches across the country to remain open on 25 and 26 September 2026 to facilitate the payment of Hajj registration fees for the Hajj 2027 season. The instruction was issued in a circular by the central bank today.

🏛 The central bank's circular stated that relevant branches of banks that collect Hajj registration fees must remain open on 25 and 26 September to facilitate Hajj 2027 registration. The instruction was issued following a letter from the Ministry of Religious Affairs dated 20 September requesting the special banking window for intending Hajj pilgrims.

💳 After-Hours Payment Facility

The central bank also instructed the banks to accept payments after normal banking hours if a Hajj pilgrim arrives to make a deposit. In such cases, the branches must:

• 🔐 Ensure the pilgrim's security for as long as the person remains at the branch.
• 🔐 Make the necessary arrangements to receive the payment smoothly.
• 🔐 Provide the official payment receipt to the pilgrim without delay.

This after-hours accommodation is unusual in Bangladesh's banking sector, where branches typically close at 4:00 pm during the working week. The decision underscores the strategic importance Bangladesh places on the Hajj pilgrimage process — one of the largest annual logistical exercises involving Bangladeshi citizens travelling abroad.

📜 Background: Bangladesh's Hajj Operations

Bangladesh sends one of the largest Hajj pilgrim contingents in the world. For Hajj 2026, Bangladesh was allocated a quota of approximately 127,000 pilgrims — though actual departure numbers typically fall short of the quota due to financial constraints, visa processing delays, and other logistical challenges.

For Hajj 2027, the registration and fee collection process begins well in advance to allow:

• 👥 Visa processing with the Saudi Arabian government.
• 👥 Flight arrangements with Biman Bangladesh Airlines, Saudi Arabian Airlines and other carriers.
• 👥 Accommodation bookings in Makkah and Madinah.
• 👥 Transport arrangements between the holy sites.
• 👥 Health and vaccination requirements — including mandatory meningitis and seasonal flu vaccines.

💰 Hajj Fee Structure

The Hajj registration fee typically includes:

• 💵 Government Hajj package fee — regulated by the Ministry of Religious Affairs for pilgrims travelling under the government scheme.
• 💵 Private Hajj operator fees — market-determined, with the government setting a minimum and maximum range.
• 💵 Saudi visa and processing fees — including the Muqaddim fee paid to the Saudi government.
• 💵 Bank service charges — nominal fees collected by designated banks for processing the payments.
• 💵 Accommodation and transport fees — for the Saudi-side logistics.

The total cost for a Bangladeshi Hajj pilgrim under the government scheme is typically between Tk 6-7 lakh, while private scheme packages range from Tk 7 lakh to Tk 12 lakh depending on the level of accommodation and services included.

🏦 Designated Banks For Hajj Fee Collection

Bangladesh Bank designates specific banks for Hajj fee collection each year. The designated banks typically include:

• 🏦 Sonali Bank Limited — the primary collecting bank for the government Hajj scheme.
• 🏦 Agrani Bank Limited — another state-owned commercial bank.
• 🏦 Rupali Bank Limited — the third state-owned commercial bank involved.
• 🏦 Janata Bank Limited — also designated for specific regions.
• 🏦 Some private commercial banks — particularly those with branches in districts with high Hajj pilgrim concentrations.

The branches designated for Hajj fee collection are typically located in:

• 📍 Dhaka district — including the Dhaka metropolitan area and surrounding upazilas.
• 📍 Chattogram district — a major source of Hajj pilgrims.
• 📍 Sylhet district — home to a large diaspora community with significant UK and US remittances, many of whom perform Hajj.
• 📍 Comilla, Noakhali, Mymensingh, Rangpur — all districts with historically high Hajj pilgrim numbers.

💼 Why This Matters: Banking Sector Logistics

The decision to keep bank branches open on a Friday and Saturday — normally non-working or limited hours for Bangladesh's banking sector — reflects the operational complexity of the Hajj registration process. In Bangladesh, the standard banking week is Sunday through Thursday, with Friday being the weekly holiday and Saturday being either a holiday or a half-day depending on the bank.

The 25-26 September window falls on a Friday and Saturday in 2026, making the special opening a significant operational adjustment. Branches will need to:

• 🏦 Deploy staff to handle the special Hajj fee collection window.
• 🏦 Ensure IT systems are operational for transaction processing.
• 🏦 Maintain cash handling and security for in-person fee deposits.
• 🏦 Coordinate with the Ministry of Religious Affairs for real-time data updates on registration status.

🌏 Wider Context: Bangladesh's Hajj Sector Economy

For Bangladesh, the Hajj sector represents a substantial annual economic flow. Beyond the religious significance, the Hajj pilgrimage:

• 💰 Generates approximately $700-800 million in foreign exchange outflows annually — a significant item in the country's services account deficit.
• 💰 Supports a private Hajj operator industry of approximately 1,500-2,000 licensed agencies.
• 💰 Drives ancillary businesses — including travel agencies, vaccine providers, Ihram clothing manufacturers, luggage sellers, and Hajj training centres.
• 💰 Supports Biman Bangladesh Airlines — the national carrier earns significant revenue from dedicated Hajj charter flights.

The Hajj fee collection window is therefore not just an operational accommodation — it is a critical enabler of a substantial annual economic activity that touches hundreds of thousands of Bangladeshi households.

💼 Pilgrim Experience: Reduced Hassle

The decision to open bank branches on 25-26 September will also reduce the hassle faced by intending Hajj pilgrims — many of whom are elderly and travel from rural areas to district-level bank branches to make their fee deposits. Without the special weekend opening, these pilgrims would need to take time off work or travel during normal banking hours — an additional burden in an already complex process.

The after-hours payment accommodation is particularly noteworthy — it acknowledges that many pilgrims travel significant distances and may not arrive at the bank during normal working hours. The instruction to ensure pilgrim security during extended hours reflects a recognition of the vulnerability of elderly pilgrims who may be carrying significant amounts of cash for fee payment.

📋 Coordination With Religious Affairs Ministry

The Bangladesh Bank circular noted that the instruction was issued following a letter from the Ministry of Religious Affairs dated 20 September. This coordination between the central bank and the religious affairs ministry is a recurring feature of Bangladesh's Hajj management — reflecting the cross-sectoral nature of the pilgrimage logistics.

For the 2027 Hajj season, the Ministry of Religious Affairs has been working to streamline the registration process through:

• 💻 Online registration portal — allowing pilgrims to register digitally.
• 💻 Integration with bank payment systems — for real-time fee verification.
• 💻 Mobile banking integration — through bKash, Nagad and other mobile financial services.
• 💻 Tracking systems — for monitoring the registration progress of each pilgrim.

The Bangladesh Bank's directive to keep physical bank branches open on 25-26 September complements these digital initiatives — recognising that many elderly pilgrims still prefer in-person banking transactions, particularly for large fee payments.

💼 Outlook For The 2027 Hajj Season

The Hajj 2027 season is expected to see Bangladesh's pilgrim quota restored to pre-pandemic levels. The Saudi government had reduced quotas during the COVID-19 pandemic years (2020-2022), and the gradual restoration has been ongoing since 2023.

For Bangladesh's banking sector, the Hajj fee collection window represents a brief but intense operational period — one in which the central bank, designated commercial banks, and the Ministry of Religious Affairs must coordinate closely to ensure smooth processing for hundreds of thousands of intending pilgrims.

The 25-26 September window is the first of several such special banking days that will likely be announced as the Hajj 2027 registration process progresses. Subsequent windows may be announced for fee revisions, refund processing, and last-minute registration adjustments.