Saudi Arabia announces 3-month visa for Umrah
RIYADH: The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has announced that pilgrims now could extend their Umrah visa for up to 90 days.
The ministry highlighted that Umrah pilgrims can now obtain a visa which can be extended from one month to three months.
The authorities also said that the move is applicable to all pilgrims irrespective of their nationalities.
The ministry confirmed that the system does not allow the extension of over 90 days.
It is noteworthy that the Ministry has started issuing permits to perform Umrah from inside and outside the Kingdom since the beginning of Muharram.
In August this year, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has announced that those who obtained tourist visas and commercial visas will now be allowed to perform the Umrah pilgrimage during their stay in Saudi Arabia.
This facility is available for citizens of 49 countries around the world. They can secure their visas online through “Visit Saudi Arabia’ portal or immediately on arrival at Saudi airports, the ministry said while noting that the decision has been taken to facilitate as many people as possible to perform the lesser pilgrimage.
The ministry stated that those who qualify to perform Umrah also include holders of US, UK and Schengen visas. This comes in conjunction with the start of the new Umrah season for the current year 1444 AH, with the aim of opening the way for the largest number of Muslims around the world to perform Umrah freely and easily.
The ministry stressed the necessity of the commitment of Umrah companies and institutions to provide all packages of services to the pilgrims to the fullest, with the aim of raising the quality of services in the sector, and facilitating the journey of the pilgrims.
The ministry clarified that all Umrah companies and institutions are fully obligated to issue Umrah and prayer permits in Al Rawdah (Masjid-e-nabawi) for its pilgrims, and send them to the Grand Mosque according to the times approved in the permits.
The authorities added that officers will be following up on the level of quality of services, and the commitment of companies and institutions to provide them through continuous field inspection tours, and intensive automated monitoring.
It stressed that field teams have been directed in the sorting centers next to the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque to monitor any field violation, and to take regular deterrent measures against violators with the aim of enhancing the quality services.