The Umrah visa is a specific type of visa that allows Muslims from around the world to visit the holy cities of Mecca and Medina in Saudi Arabia for the purpose of performing Umrah, a pilgrimage that can be undertaken at any time of the year.
Here's everything you need to know about applying for a Saudi Arabia Umrah visa.
The Saudi Arabia Umrah Visa, or Tourist eVisa, permits Muslims to perform Umrah and visit sacred cities like Mecca and Medina.
Non-Muslims can use it to explore the country and visit family or friends. It offers a unique opportunity for cultural and religious immersion in Saudi Arabia.
To be eligible for a Umrah visa, the applicant must be a Muslim and must meet the following criteria:
The process involves submitting an online application on the official website. The application should be completed with the correct details and accompanied by all the required documents.
Once the application has been reviewed and approved, the visa is issued and can be printed out from the website.
Here are the steps you would typically need to follow:
The requirements for Saudi Arabia Umrah visa include:
The processing time for a Saudi Arabia Umrah visa can vary depending on the type of service selected. Here are the typical processing times:
There are no specific age restrictions for applying for a Umrah visa.
However, women under the age of 45 must travel with a Mahram, and children under the age of 18 must travel with a parent or guardian.
You can apply for a Umrah visa online through the official website.
There's no need to visit the Saudi embassy unless specifically required for additional verification or documentation.
No, Umrah can only be performed on a valid Umrah visa. Performing Umrah on a tourist visa or other types of visas is not permitted.
An Umrah e-visa is a crucial document for any Muslim intending to undertake the sacred journey of Umrah in Saudi Arabia.
This visa holds significant importance, allowing a pilgrim to enter the kingdom multiple times during its validity period.
The Umrah e-visa comes with a validity period of one year from the date of issuance.
This means that the visa holder can enter and exit Saudi Arabia multiple times within this one-year period without needing to apply for a new visa each time.
While the visa itself is valid for one year, it allows for a maximum stay of up to 90 days per visit.
This provision makes it convenient for pilgrims who wish to perform Umrah multiple times within a year or for those who want to extend their stay to explore other parts of Saudi Arabia.
For pilgrims who plan to perform Umrah during the holy month of Ramadan, there's a special condition in place.
Regardless of whether your stay in the country is for 90 days or less, you must leave the Kingdom before the last day of Ramadan.
It's crucial to adhere to the maximum stay period of 90 days per visit. Overstaying can result in the visa being invalidated by the border authorities.
This means that you could face penalties or a ban from entering Saudi Arabia in the future. Therefore, it's essential to plan your stay carefully and abide by the visa regulations.
There are no specific restrictions on the number of times you can perform Umrah in a year. However, each Umrah requires a separate visa.
Yes, having previously visited Saudi Arabia for Hajj does not affect your eligibility for a Umrah visa.
If your Umrah visa application gets rejected, the first step is to understand the reason for the rejection. This can usually be found in the rejection notice. You can then rectify any issues and reapply.
However, if the rejection reason isn't clear or if you believe your application was wrongly rejected, you can contact the Saudi Arabia Ministry of Hajj and Umrah for further assistance.
Saudi Arabia aims to balance international relations between East and West in 2023. While maintaining a strategic partnership with the US, the kingdom will pursue a more independent foreign policy by strengthening ties with China and Russia.
This shift reflects increasing trade and investment ties with Asia, particularly China, and the success of the OPEC+ alliance in shaping global energy markets. High-level ministerial meetings with China, India, and Japan indicate a focus on deepening commercial and strategic ties with major Asian countries this year.
No, the Umrah visa is exclusively for Muslims who wish to perform Umrah, a pilgrimage to Mecca and Medina.
Women aged 45 and above can apply for an Umrah visa on their own. However, women under the age of 45 must be accompanied by a Mahram (a male relative) while applying for an Umrah visa.
Overstaying on your Umrah visa can lead to fines and penalties, and it may also affect your ability to get a visa to Saudi Arabia in the future.
No, the Umrah visa is solely for the purpose of performing Umrah and does not allow the visa holder to work or reside in Saudi Arabia.
Yes, you can visit other cities in Saudi Arabia, but the primary purpose of your visit should be to perform Umrah.
Yes, proof of health insurance that covers the duration of your stay in Saudi Arabia is required when applying for an Umrah visa.
If your Umrah visa application is rejected, you should first determine the reason for the rejection, correct any mistakes, and reapply. If you need further assistance, it's advisable to contact the Saudi Arabia Ministry of Hajj and Umrah or the Saudi embassy in your home country.
No, the Umrah visa is not extendable. The maximum duration of stay is 90 days per visit, and the visa itself is valid for one year from the date of issue.
No, Hajj and Umrah are two separate pilgrimages and require different visas. You cannot perform Hajj with an Umrah visa.
You can perform Umrah multiple times within the one-year validity period of the visa. However, each visit should not exceed 90 days.