Umrah is a lesser pilgrimage for Muslims. Each year, millions of Muslims from all over the world come to the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah to perform Umrah and Hajj. Hajj being a religious obligation for Muslims who are physically, mentally and financially able, Umrah is rather a Sunnah. Performing Umrah isn’t ‘farz’ on any Muslim. Since it’s a perfect opportunity to visit the sacred places of Islam and seek forgiveness from Allah Almighty, Muslims also possess the same enthusiasm for it. With a variety of budget Umrah packages available in the market, you can go for umrah any time of the year with the options to choose from economy to luxury class quite easily.
Since Umrah can only be performed in Makkah and Madinah, Saudia Arabia, therefore, a valid Umrah visa is required for it. Issued by the Saudia Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, umrah visa is a legal requirement for the Muslims travelling internationally.
What do you need to know about Umrah Visa? Here are a few basic things.
Validity, Frequency and Cost
Umrah visa is free of cost by the Saudi Government and is issued all around the year except during Hajj. It is valid for 30 days. However, the actual validity is of 14 days. In simple words, 30 days are given to the pilgrims so that they can easily arrange their accommodation and flights there, in case there’s a flight delay or unavailability of hotel rooms. Once you land in Saudia Arabia, you have to perform umrah in 14 days and on the 15th day from your arrival, the visa expires and you cannot stay any longer. If you’ve already performed umrah and want to go again in the same year there’s a 6-month wait period before you can apply for your next umrah.
The necessary medium of a Travel agency
You cannot apply for Umrah visa directly. The Saudi Authorities only accept your visa application when received through the medium of a certified and associated travel agency.
Visa Application requirements
- At least, 6-7-month validity of passport at the time of application submission.
- 2 passport size, colour photographs in white background. The applicant must face the camera directly with a full-face view, side angles aren’t acceptable.
- Vaccination certificates depending on the region you are travelling from.
- For women under 45 years of age, presence of a mahram on umrah trip with proof of relation. For women over 45 years of age, NOC from Mahram when performing umrah alone.
- A copy of pre-arranged accommodation and non-refundable return flights to ensure your return and that you’ll not illegally reside in Saudia Arabia after performing umrah.
- You can apply for umrah on the basis of the nationality of a country or possession of permanent residence there. In other words, you cannot apply for umrah visa from a country you are visiting on the basis business/visit visa.
These rules apply all around the year. Whether you are performing umrah through Ramadan Umrah packages or in other months, obtaining a valid Umrah visa is a compulsion.
