Many of the Muslims’ relatives or friends live in Saudi Arabia. Whenever one travels for Umrah or Hajj tries to meet them or wishes to visit other sacred places other than Makah and Medina. But due to strict rules and regulations, it is not possible to visit other cities of Saudi Arabia. Organizer plans such cheap Umrah and Hajj Packages UK which not only provides maximum facilities to pilgrims. But they also follow the rules and regulations of the Saudi Govt.
Entry Only From Jeddah or Medina Airports:
Saudi Arabia govt. making sure all the pilgrims must reach Jeddah or Medina airport. So visitors having Umrah visas must have to fly to Jeddah or Medina airport for entry in Saudi Arabia. Flight cannot take pilgrim from other airports such as Dammam, Yanbu, or Riyadh international airport.
No Entry to Other cities:
Umrah visa holders cannot visit other cities only on basis of Umrah Visa. Saudi Govt. makes sure all pilgrims visit accordingly to allowed sites. If any pilgrim caught traveling to other prohibited locations will be charged SR 5000 on a single violation. Saudi police used to check ID cards and other traveling documents on the different entry points. So make sure to abide by the law and don’t travel illegally.
Relaxation for Umrah Visa holder:
Understanding the requirement and promoting the tourist industry Saudi Govt. has revised their policies only for Umrah visa holders only to convert their visas into Tourist Visa. There are so many sacred places other than Medina and Makah such as Tabuk and Taif city where Holy Prophet Muhammad SAW visited. So pilgrims on Umrah obligation want to visit such locations. This process of relaxation will be helpful for such visitors.
Conditions for other Cities Visit:
Umrah visa can be converted into a tourist visa but there is some conditional procedure for that such as follows:
1-Umrah visitors must have to spend at least 15 days and nights in the Holy cities of Makah and Medina.
2-This condition is not for pilgrims who came for the 15 days visa.
So pilgrim having less than 15 days visa cannot be entertained through this facility and visit other cities of Saudi Arabia.
Pilgrims Can Visit Other Tourist Places:
Now pilgrims having 30days visas can visit other sacred places in Saudi Arabia by availing of tourist visas. Pilgrims who converted their Umrah visas into tourist visas can enjoy their visit by meeting their relatives in other cities. Many pilgrims want to visit such places where Prophet Muhammad SAW or his followers visited. These new rules by Saudi Govt. not only provide ease to pilgrims but also enhance tourism in the country.
The same is the case with the foreigners who are on visit visas can avail permit for Umrah by completing the due procedure. All these ease are part of the new vision of 2030 by Saudi Govt. that will not only facilitate the pilgrims but also enhance tourism in the country.