Umrah, the lesser pilgrimage, can be performed any time of the year except for the days of Hajj. That means you can neither apply for umrah visa during the Hajj nor you would receive any visa until and unless the umrah season officially starts. Whether you are booking umrah packages from London or any other city of the world, without fulfilling some basic requirements you are unable to get a Umrah visa from Saudia Arabia’s Ministry of Umrah and Hajj.
So, what are those Umrah visa requirements? Find out here.
1. The compulsion of a travel agent
As per the new rules and regulations, Saudia Arabi’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has made compulsion of a travel agent for umrah visa. Meaning that you cannot apply for Visa directly. Only application forms received through the channel of a certified and credible travel agent are acceptable.
2. Valid Passport/Residency Permit
With the application form, your British passport must go. Therefore, it must have a validity of at least 6-7 months at the time of submission of application for umrah. If you are not a national of the country yet, then you should submit proof of your permanent residency in the UK along with utility bills.
3. Application form and Documents
2 latest passport-size, color photographs with a white background should be submitted along with required documents. One of them should remain attached to the application form. The phototrophs must have a full-face view, from the front, of the visa applicant. Photos with Side/angled views aren’t acceptable.
4. Company of a Mahram
For women under the age of 45, the company of a mahram and proof of mahram relation is a must in order to obtain an Umrah visa. On the other hand, women above 45 years of age can perform umrah without a mahram but in groups and with NOC from their mahram.
5. Vaccination Certificates
A vaccination certificate against Meningococcal Meningitis with a validity of 3 years and issued at least 10 days before the entry in Saudia Arabia is a necessity. It should remain with the pilgrim on arrival.
6. Visa Validity and Fee
Umrah Visa’s Validity is of 14 days. It comes with a maximum of 30-day validity so that you can easily arrange flights for that month. Visa would expire on the 15th day from departure and the pilgrim isn’t allowed to stay any longer. Saudi Government issues umrah visas free of cost. However, there might be some processing charges that travel agents can charge.
7. Pre-arranged accommodation and proof of return tickets
The pilgrim should have pre-arranged all the accommodation. In addition, the return ticket’s copy has to be submitted as proof that the person won’t stay longer than 14 days in Saudia Arabia.
8. Children on Umrah
Children under 18 years of age can only get a visa when performing umrah with their family/relative.
9. Non-Muslim Name
If a person has a non-Muslim name, he/she should submit proof of being a Muslim issued by a mosque or Islamic center.
After fulfilling Umrah Visa Requirements, you can easily book cheap Ramadan umrah packages from a trustworthy travel agent to begin your spiritual journey.
