Whether you're coming from the United Kingdom or somewhere else, you'll need an Umrah visa to perform the religious rites in Makkah that are part of your Umrah Packages All Inclusive. The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah issues Umrah visas year-round (with the exception of Hajj days) since the pilgrimage is considered a sunnah Ibadah that can be conducted at any time.
To qualify for an Umrah visa, prospective visitors must meet certain requirements. What follows is essential information.
Applying for an Umrah visa.
Only travel agencies authorised by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah can grant Umrah visas to visitors. In other words, pilgrims must go through an official Umrah travel agency in order to apply for their visas.
Documents required.
Those who intend to perform Umrah must submit an application for an Umrah visa along with the following items:
1. Two current, front-facing, passport-sized pictures on a white backdrop.
2 .The pilgrims must show proof that they have accommodations secured for their entire time in the area.
3. A copy of the pilgrim's non-refundable, confirmed, round-trip plane tickets, which will ensure the pilgrim's timely departure from the region.
4. a passport that is valid for at least another six months.
5.Medical coverage.
6. Certificates of vaccination (for all of the types of immunisations required by law in the pilgrim's destination country).
7. If the applicant's name isn't Muslim, they'll need a Shahadah certificate from a reputable mosque or Islamic centre in their area.
Processing time.
The typical processing time for an Umrah visa is between five and ten business days. Your visa approval time frame may fall within this range, depending on where you are.
Validity.
The Umrah visa is only good for two weeks, so the pilgrim must leave the kingdom no later than the 15th day after arriving. To account for the possibility of airline or travel delays, the visa validity is extended by 15 days.
Since the Umrah rituals must be performed within two weeks of the pilgrim's arrival in the region, the earliest the pilgrim can leave Saudi Arabia is the 15th day. Otherwise, you could face criminal charges and/or other penalties.
Fee.
The Saudi government provides free Umrah visas which you can pay to trusted Islamic travel agency uk at the time of buying Umrah VISAs. Only if this is your first umrah of the year, though. A second Umrah application submitted within the same calendar year will incur an extra cost.
Umrah on a tourist visa.
• The Saudi Vision 2030 plan has expanded the types of visas that can be used to visit the kingdom, allowing Muslim tourists to perform Umrah ceremonies. It is possible to undertake Umrah while visiting Saudi Arabia on a tourist visa. There is no requirement for a special Umrah visa.
• These visas can be obtained by pilgrims through either visa-on-arrival processes or electronic visa services (e-visa).
• The list of qualifying nations for this programme can be seen on the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah's website.
So, now you know the fundamentals of pilgrimage travel with regards to the Umrah visa.