Riyadh: The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) on Friday decided to allow all types of visa holders to undertake Umrah or lesser pilgrimage.
The Saudi Ministry of Haj and Umrah announced in a statement, reported by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), that it allowed holders of all types of visas and those coming from all countries of the world for the purpose of tourism and visits, the ability to perform Umrah during their stay in the Kingdom.
The ministry said, “The decision includes arrivals to the Kingdom who have obtained visas from the United States of America, the United Kingdom, and the Schengen countries.”
It indicated that those who have obtained a family visit visa and a personal visit can perform Umrah with ease, by booking an appointment through the Eatmarna application while visiting their relatives and friends in the Kingdom, by applying on the unified national platform for visas.
The decision aims to achieve the goal of Saudi Vision 2030 of reaching 30 million pilgrims annually, he added.
Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 is an ambitious development plan designed to diversify the kingdom’s oil-dependent economy.
People with the following visas can now perform Umrah:
- Student Visa
- Personal Visit Visa
- Family Visit Visa
- Business Visit Visa
- Tourist Visa
- Extension of Exit/Re-Entry Visa
- Premium Residency Visa
- Government Visa
- Diplomatic Missions & Organizations
- Diplomatic & Official Visas
- Haj and Umrah Visa
- Companion Visa
- Employment Visa
- Newborn Visa
- Residence Visa
It is worth noting that this comes within the framework of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s desire to make it easier for Muslims from all over the world to perform Umrah, enrich their religious and cultural experiences, and discover the Kingdom.
The start of the new Umrah season for pilgrims from inside and outside the Kingdom began on the first of Muharram 1444 AH, corresponding to July 30, 2022.
The Kingdom expects more than 10 million Muslim pilgrims to attend the new season of Umrah or lesser pilgrimage, a forecast reminiscent of pre-pandemic numbers.
