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New umrah VISA rules foreignway
Foreignway | March 8, 2023 | 0 Comments

New Umrah VISA Rules 2024: Everything You Need To Know

Umrah is a journey that Muslims can fulfill by traveling to the Saudi Arabian Holy city of Mecca and engaging in a number of religious rites.

All Muslims around the world are welcome to participate. However, performing Umrah is subject to the rules and regulations implemented by the government of Saudi Arabia.

The most crucial need is for pilgrims to enter the land with a legitimate Umrah VISA in order to complete the journey.

News regarding Umrah 2024:

The validity of the Umrah has just been increased in Saudi Arabia from 30 to 90 days. With this new arrangement, pilgrims are free to travel wherever they like within Saudi Arabia.

During their stay, pilgrims can easily travel by car, train, or bus between Makkah and Madinah or any other city throughout the kingdom without the need for a separate tourist VISA.

Mandatory testings for traveling to KSA:

Now, no foreign pilgrim is required to present a negative PCR or rapid antigen test result prior to traveling to the Kingdom in order to do Umrah in Saudi Arabia.

All visitors coming with visitation VISAS are required to have health insurance to pay for any COVID-19-related treatment expenditures incurred while they are abroad. 

Vaccination requirements for performing Umrah:

While the majority of COVID-19-related bans have been eliminated in Saudi Arabia as in the new Umrah VISA rules, travelers who want to do the Umrah must show confirmation of vaccination when they enter the country.

The following vaccinations have been authorized:

  • Moderna.
  • Pfizer/BioNTech.
  • Janssen.
  • Oxford/AstraZeneca

Quarantine may be required for Umrah VISA holders who had vaccinations other than those listed above.

Source: الأسئلة الشائعة – وزارة الحج والعمرة haj.gov.sa

Vaccination status and registration:

Before flying to Saudi Arabia, a person must register their immunization status on the Muqeem site, at least 72 hours prior to departure.

Note: The Umrah visa would be terminated right away if:

  • The person has a COVID-19 infection.
  • The person had interacted with an infected person.
  • The VISA applicant does not reach Saudi Arabia six hours before the booking date for Umrah.

VISA rules for women:

According to the new Umrah visa rules 2022, a woman may now perform Hajj or Umrah without a mahram, according to a statement from the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah. Instead, “reliable women or safe company” would be permitted to go with them, according to the notice.

VISAS required for Umrah:

To begin their holy pilgrimage, foreign pilgrims can apply for either an Umrah visa or an Umrah e-visa.

Applying for an E-VISA for Umrah is possible through the Maqam site.

Performing Umrah through a tourist VISA:

According to the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia now permits tourists with Saudi tourist VISAS to do Umrah.

Citizens of 49 states who are qualified to apply for the Saudi electronic VISA may now complete Umrah in the Kingdom by obtaining their VISAS either in advance of travel at airports or online at the Visit Saudi Arabia site.

VISA rules for FIFA 2024 ticket bearer:

FIFA World Cup ticket holders who register for the specific Saudi e-VISA will be able to conduct Umrah free of cost, according to the announcement of the new Umrah visa rules for 2022 from the Saudi Arabian government.

Prior to the World Cup, which begins on November 11 and lasts through December 18, 2022, the VISA will only be valid for ten days. 

The numerous entry VISA holders may enter and leave Saudi Arabia whenever they choose; they are not forced to enter the country via Qatar. It is necessary to buy health insurance through the VISA site.

VISA requirements for Umrah 2024:

The following papers must be ready when you submit your Umrah VISA application:

  • A form of VISA application for Umrah.
  • A current passport photo.
  • Having a passport that is valid for 6 months.
  • bought tickets for a non-refundable flight.
  • A proof that female pilgrims have a relation with their “mahram”.
  • Medical insurance that also covers Covid-19 infections.

Important note: Candidates with non-Muslim names must provide documentation from their community masjids or other Islamic groups attesting to their Muslim status.

VISA Clearance Time for Umrah:

Depending on your state of residence, the normal processing time for an Umrah VISA is 5 to 10 days.

New VISA Fees for Umrah 2024:

An Umrah VISA request will cost between $380 and $490 as of the new Umrah VISA rules 2022. However, the cost of a VISA may vary from one country to another.

Pilgrims must additionally pay for the Umrah tour packages, which brings the total price of the Umrah somewhere between $1500 and $2000.

VISA Validity for Umrah:

The validity of the Umrah VISA is 2 weeks. However, irrespective of whether you’ve stayed for 2 weeks or not, you must go by the end of Ramadan if you are conducting the Umrah during that holy month.

End note: The new Umrah VISA rules by the Saudi government are somehow lenient for pilgrims around the world. 

The new VISA rules have made it easier for people who could not perform Umrah due to Covid and especially for women who are now able to conduct Umrah without a male. 

Also, people are now able to do all the VISA processing on the certified VISA apps and portals by the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Hajj and Umrah.

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