Do I Need a Visa for Umrah?

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.

What to Know About Umrah Visa Requirements

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.

Visa Requirements for the Ramadan Umrah

The month of Ramadan is a well-known month due to various specialties. The month of Ramadan is the 9th month of Islamic Hijri Calendar and considers as the most divine time of the year. Performing Umrah through cheapest Ramadan Umrah Packages 2020 in this sacred month is another achievement for the Ummah of Muslim. They eagerly wait for this time to get the blessings of Allah the Almighty.

The Umrah journey is one of prodigious implication; it is the 2nd most consecrated occasion in the Islamic Hijri calendar, just before the greatest worship of Hajj pilgrimage in the month of Zill Hajj. The Umrah journey varies because it can happen at any time throughout the year. But you can’t merely go on the religious obligation of Umrah journey; there are guidelines, limitations and other belongings that you must do in order to obtain the spiritual journey of Umrah visa.

The Visa Process for Umrah

The Muslim brothers and sisters of London, Manchester, Birmingham, and Bradford or whole the United Kingdom want to perform Umrah then follow the fulfill requirements of visa before give in to their Umrah application forms. After 15th of Ramadan, you can’t submit your Visa application to perform Umrah because the submission of the Visa process is closed. The reason behind is that the authorities are busy to collect the Hajj application and you can perform Umrah after Hajj worship.

Requirements of Ramadan Umrah Visa

With your visa application for Ramadan Umrah, you need to ensure that you must have attached 2 passport size snaps with the application form. There are some other requirements you must check out and consider before going to Umrah Ibdah.

• A woman can’t go without Mahram if she is below 45 years old. The Maharam is compulsory for her and Maharam’s are: son, brother, husband, father, and uncles. You must give proof of your Maharam.

• If the lady is 45 years old or grown-up, they are permissible to travel for Ramadan Umrah without a mahram. But there is another condition for her is to travel with a group of pilgrims and produce a (NOC) No Objection Certificate from their mahram.

So, book Islamic Travel UK cheap Umrah Packages 2020 for your family and friends. Hurry up to reserve your deal and follow these instructions.