Umrah VISA Requirements and Guidelines for Pakistanis

Umrah is a non-compulsory Islamic pilgrimage that carries immense spiritual significance for Muslims worldwide. However, those intending to perform Umrah must have sufficient financial resources to afford the pilgrimage. Recently, the Saudi Arabian government updated its visa policy for Pakistanis to perform Umrah. In this article, we will discuss the Umrah visa requirements and guidelines that Pakistanis need to follow to perform Umrah.

Umrah Visa Types:

There are generally two types of Umrah visas that people can obtain, depending on their country of residence. These are:

• Umrah Visa
• Umrah e-Visa
• Government Visa
• Diplomatic & Official Visas
• Diplomatic Missions & Organizations
• Tourist Visa
• Business Visit Visa
• Employment Visa
• Residence Visa
• Premium Residency Visa
• Newborn Visa
• Extension of Exit/Re-Entry Visa
• Family Visit Visa
• Companion Visa
• Personal Visit Visa
• Hajj and Umrah Visa 
• Student Visa

Umrah Visa Fee from Pakistan 2024:

While the Umrah visa itself does not have any charges, there are fees for the Umrah services. The Saudi Arabian government has announced new Umrah visa fees for Pakistanis in 2024. The cost of a 15-day entry Umrah visa is around $490, including standard processing fees.

If you require your Umrah visa sooner, you can avail of rush processing, which will cost you $490, and provide you with your Umrah visa within three days. Moreover, if you need your Umrah visa even faster, you can opt for super rush processing, which will cost you $490, and provide your Umrah visa within 24 hours.

New Umrah Visa Rules 2024:

According to the new Umrah visa rules 2024, Umrah pilgrims are required to adhere to the following guidelines:

• Pilgrims must provide a negative PCR test report, undertaken within 48 hours of their arrival
• The new PCR rule applies to all pilgrims, regardless of their vaccination status
• Pilgrims must show proof of their vaccination through the Tawakkalna app to enter the Grand Mosque in Madinah and Makkah
• Pilgrims can extend their Umrah duration stay up to 30 days as compared to the previous allowance of 10 days
• If pilgrims are not from a banned country list and have received Saudi government-approved COVID vaccines, they can arrive directly in Makkah and perform Umrah without any need for quarantine
• All foreign pilgrims aged 18 years or above will be provided permission to enter the Saudi Arabian kingdom under the terms approved by the ministry.

Ways to Obtain Umrah Visa:

Pakistanis can obtain their Umrah visas in several ways, such as by visiting the nearest Saudi consulate, Saudi government-approved travel agents, or the nearest Etimad service center in their city. They can also obtain their Umrah visas through the Etemarna and Tawakalna apps.

Issuance of Umrah e-Visa Pakistan:

If you’re a Muslim residing in Pakistan and you’re planning to perform Umrah, you’ll need to obtain a Saudi visa first. Thankfully, with the introduction of the Umrah e-Visa system, the process has become much more convenient and efficient.

Now, you can apply for your Umrah visa online through the Maqam platform, which allows you to select an approved Umrah company, build your package, and receive your reference number within 24 hours. Plus, if you prefer, you can also go through an approved tourism agency in Pakistan to get your visa and package booking done.

Keep in mind that the issuance of an Umrah visa can take anywhere between 5-10 days, but the actual visa itself is available free of cost. However, you may have to pay processing fees and other related costs, which usually range between $169 to $188.

So, don’t let the visa process hold you back from experiencing the spiritual journey of Umrah. Apply for your e-Visa today and start planning your itinerary to the holy sites of Saudi Arabia.

Foreign pilgrims and Pakistanis can now obtain their Umrah visa permit from Pakistan through Saudi Arabia-approved apps ‘Tawakalna’ and ‘Etemarna.’ These apps are available on both the play store and apple store. After arriving in the kingdom and registering themselves through the platform ‘Qadoom,’ they can get their Umrah permits and all the latest information concerning Umrah visa prices in Pakistan.

Umrah Visa Travel Vaccination Requirement:

Saudi Arabia has announced that Muslims who plan on performing Umrah, the minor pilgrimage, during the upcoming Islamic holy month of Ramadan will be able to obtain permits through an electronic platform. The Nusuk portal is being used to submit applications for the rites to expedite the process. The portal is also being used to electronically book associated travel arrangements and receive the appropriate visas and permits to perform Umrah or visit holy sites.

Under the new policy, the government of Saudi Arabia has allowed religious tourists to arrive and depart on scheduled flights through any international airport in the kingdom. As a result, all airlines, as well as private aviation operating in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, must permit pilgrims wishing to conduct Umrah to arrive and depart on scheduled flights via any of the kingdom’s international airports.

Important Tips:

It is important to note that Pakistani citizens planning on performing Umrah are required to first obtain a Saudi visa. This includes the Umrah visa, Saudi Tourist visa, transit visa, and free 4-day visa. The Saudi authorities have launched an electronic service for Umrah seekers to obtain their Umrah visa within 24 hours. Umrah seekers residing in countries all over the world may now directly apply through the Maqam platform.

How to Apply for Umrah Visa Online:

To apply for the Umrah visa online, simply visit the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah’s Maqam portal and choose one of the approved Umrah companies. Once you have selected your preferred company, you can build your Umrah package consisting of accommodation, transportation, and ground services. After securing your Umrah package, you will receive a reference number for the application. You will then be redirected to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs portal to complete the visa issuance process.

Alternatively, you can get the visa package booking and visa issuance application done through an approved tourism agency in your country. The government of Saudi Arabia recommends that Pakistani citizens enlist the assistance of an approved travel agent to obtain their Umrah visa. The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has also announced the possibility for international Umrah seekers to plan their itineraries electronically through approved platforms.

While it is possible to obtain an Umrah visa from Pakistan in under 24 hours, issuance of an Umrah visa typically takes between 5 – 10 days. The Umrah visa itself is available free of cost, but fees may be associated with processing and other Umrah-related services. Reports suggest that these fees may amount to somewhere between $169 to $188.

In conclusion, with the implementation of the new electronic platforms, the process of performing Umrah has become more streamlined and accessible for Muslims around the world. Pakistani citizens need to follow the proper procedures and obtain the necessary visas to embark on their Umrah journey. By enlisting the assistance of approved travel agents and utilizing the available electronic platforms, performing Umrah during Ramadan can be a hassle-free experience.

Conclusion:

Performing Umrah is a non-compulsory Islamic pilgrimage that holds significant spiritual importance for Muslims worldwide. To perform Umrah, Pakistanis need to follow certain visa requirements and guidelines set by the Saudi Arabian government. There are various types of Umrah visas available, and Pakistanis can obtain them through the Saudi consulate, approved travel agents, or the Etemad service center. Recently, the Saudi Arabian government updated its visa policy for Pakistanis intending to perform Umrah. Pilgrims must follow the new guidelines, such as providing a negative PCR test report within 48 hours of arrival, showing proof of vaccination through the Tawakkalna app, and adhering to other rules. The Umrah visa fees vary, and pilgrims can avail themselves of rush or super rush processing to obtain their visas faster. Saudi Arabia has allowed the resumption of its Umrah service for many countries, provided they meet certain COVID vaccination conditions.