Umrah visa and Saudi Hajj visa
Saudi Umrah visa
Saudi Arabia is recognized as the cradle of Islam and is host to its most sacred locations, including Mecca and Medina. Throughout the year, it welcomes millions of international pilgrims who come to perform the Umrah pilgrimage in Mecca. GCC nationals can enter Saudi Arabia without a visa, requiring only their passport or national ID upon entry. In 2022, Saudi Arabia introduced new visas, allowing residents of 63 nations to obtain an e-Visa through SaudiVisa.com for Umrah, except during the Hajj period.
Further, the 2022 updates to Umrah visa regulations have increased the duration of the Saudi Umrah visa from one month to three months, providing pilgrims with more time to perform the holy Umrah rites in the country. While the Umrah visa itself cannot be extended, there are various other types of visas available in Saudi Arabia.
To apply for a Saudi Umrah visa, foreign applicants must be at least 18 years old, of the Muslim faith, and meet a set of Saudi Umrah & Hajj visa requirements, detailed below. The new Saudi visa rules 2022, have previous rules, now allowing women, 18 to 65 years old, to perform Umrah without a male guardian, on the condition that they are part of a group and have the permission of their husband or father, known as a Mahram. Children under 18 years of age must apply for an Umrah visa with a parent or legal guardian.
The new Saudi visa rules 2022 have extended the Umrah-specific Saudi visa validity period from 30 days to 90 days. This longer validity period is meant to afford Umrah pilgrims traveling to Saudi Arabia for Umrah purposes ample time to complete the Umrah holy rituals. If you are traveling to Saudi Arabia for Umrah on the Saudi tourist electronic visa, then you will most probably have a multiple-entry visa valid for 1 year, allowing a 90-day stay each visit, or a single-entry visa valid for 90 days, allowing a 30-day stay. In all cases, you should check your visa information carefully, in order to avoid overstays and penalties.
To apply online for a Saudi e-Visa, you must meet the following Saudi Arabia visa requirements:
- Passport Applicant must hold a passport that is valid for at least 6 months from the date of entering Saudi Arabia or that meets the rules of reciprocity.
- Personal photos Applicants have to submit one recent color photo; against a white background; 2×2 inches; 5 to 100 KB natural facial expressions; 80% face; no eyeglasses; no head wear, except for religious reasons.
- Application Fill out an online Saudi e-Visa application form, complete with passport data and other personal information.
Please note that visa applicants must be over 18 years old to apply without a parent or legal guardian.
- To apply for a Saudi Umrah visa, applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Application Applicant should complete a visa application form and apply through travel agents authorized by the Saudi Arabia Ministry of Hajj & Umrah.
- Passport Applicant must have a passport valid for 6 months from the date of application submission.
- Personal photo Applicant must submit 1 recent color photo; against a white background; 2×2 inches; natural facial expressions; photo 80% face; no eyeglasses; no head wear, except for religious reasons.
- Vaccination certificate A health certification against Meningococcal Meningitis, issued at least 10 days before and less than 3 years from entry into Saudi Arabia, which is valid for at least 3 years. Depending on nationality, age, and health condition, other vaccinations may be required, such as yellow fever, polio, and influenza.
- Proof of relationship (for women and children) Women and children should be accompanied by a husband or father, Mahram, when traveling to Saudi Arabia, and Mahram must provide proof of relationship in the form of a marriage or birth certificate. Women and children must travel on the same flights with the Mahram.
- No-objection letter (for women traveling with a group) The new Saudi Umrah Rules 2022, allow women, 18 and 65 years old, to perform Umrah, without a male guardian, on the condition that they are part of a group and have the permission of their Mahram in a no-objection letter.
- Ticket Applicant must have a confirmed return/onward airline ticket.
Please note that when traveling in Saudi Arabia to perform Umrah, you will need a Umrah permit to visit the holy sites and perform the pilgrimage activities. To apply for an Umrah permit, pilgrims should use certain mobile applications, such as Nusuk, which is an official Saudi-integrated digital platform released by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj & Umrah.
Saudi tourist e-Visa
Foreign nationals from 57 countries are eligible to apply for the Saudi tourist e-Visa for the Umrah pilgrimage, except during Hajj season. The 3-step Saudi e-Visa application process is as follows:
- Submit visa application
Fill out the online e-Visa application form, complete with personal data and requested information - Pay visa fees
Pay the Saudi e-Visa fees securely online with a valid credit or debit card. - Receive approved visa
If approved, your Saudi e-Visa will be sent to the email you provided. Check that all visa information is correct and matches the
information on your passport.
Foreign nationals not eligible to apply for a Saudi tourist e-Visa should apply for their Saudi Umrah visa through travel agents authorized by the Saudi Arabia Ministry of Hajj & Umrah.
Saudi Umrah visas cannot be applied for at Saudi embassies or missions abroad and must be applied for through travel agents authorized by the Saudi Arabia Ministry of Hajj & Umrah.
Saudi Hajj visa
The Hajj pilgrimage is a fundamental aspect of Islam, being one of its five main pillars. It is imperative for all Muslims to journey to Mecca, ideally once in their lifetime. Saudi Arabia, where the most sacred Islamic locations are found, hosts millions for this spiritual
journey annually. To partake, international travelers must secure a Hajj visa via Saudi-accredited travel agencies, as decreed by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj & Umrah. Citizens of GCC countries, while exempt from the visa requirement for entry into Saudi Arabia, must still obtain a Hajj permit for participation.
It is important to be aware that the Hajj visa is strictly for the purpose of performing the pilgrimage and mandates that all pilgrims depart from Saudi Arabia by the 10th day of Muharram following the completion of Hajj. To apply for a Saudi Hajj & Umrah visa, foreign applicants must be at least 18 years old, of the Muslim faith, and meet a set of Saudi Hajj visa requirements, detailed below. Women, over 45 years old, are allowed to perform Hajj without a male guardian, or Mahram, provided that they are part of a group and have the permission of their husband or father. Children under 18 years of age must apply for a Saudi Hajj visa with a parent or legal guardian.
The Saudi Hajj visa is granted exclusively for Hajj pilgrimage purposes and is valid only during the Hajj period. All pilgrims should leave Saudi Arabia after Hajj, and stay no longer than the 10th day of Muharram.
To apply for a Saudi Hajj visa, applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Application Applicant should complete a Saudi Hajj & Umrah visa application form and apply through travel agents authorized by the Saudi Arabia Ministry of Hajj & Umrah.
- Passport Applicant must have a passport valid for 6 months from the date of application submission.
- Personal photo Applicant must submit 1 recent color photo; against a white background; 2×2 inches; natural facial expressions; photo 80% face; no eyeglasses; no head wear, except for religious reasons.
- Vaccination certificate A health certification against Meningococcal Meningitis, issued at least 10 days before and less than 3 years from entry into Saudi Arabia, which is valid for at least 3 years. Depending on nationality, age, and health condition, other vaccinations may be required, such as yellow fever, polio, and influenza.
- Proof of relationship (for women and children) Women and children should be accompanied by a husband or father, Mahram, when traveling to Saudi Arabia, and Mahram must provide proof of relationship in the form of a marriage or birth certificate. Women and children must travel on the same flights with the Mahram.
- No-objection letter (for women traveling with a group) Women, over 45 years old, can perform Hajj, without a male guardian, on the condition that they are part of a group and have the permission of their Mahram in a no-objection letter.
- Ticket Applicant must have a confirmed return/onward airline ticket.
Foreign nationals wishing to travel to Saudi Arabia for the Hajj pilgrimage must apply for a Saudi Saudi Hajj visa. Saudi Hajj visas cannot be applied for at Saudi embassies or missions abroad and must be applied for through travel agents authorized by the Saudi Arabia Ministry of Hajj & Umrah.
Saudi Hajj visas are usually processed in approximately 5 days. It is always advised to start your Saudi Hajj visa application process early, so as to avoid possible delays or unforeseen circumstances. Saudi Hajj visas cannot be extended, and travelers should depart from Saudi Arabia before their visa expires. You are advised to check your Saudi Hajj visa information carefully to avoid overstays and penalties.