Saudi Arabia Reduces Umrah Visa Entry Validity Period To One Month

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: Saudi Arabia has cut the validity period for the entry visa for Umrah to one month. Earlier, the period for the Umrah visa validity was three months from the date of issuance, Saudi media Al-Arabiya reported, quoting sources from the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah.

The kingdom has recently introduced new regulations to meet rising demands of the pilgrims. As temperatures cool across the Arabian Peninsula, an increasing number of Muslims are traveling to Saudi Arabia to perform Umrah. This year’s Umrah season is thus setting a record for the number of foreign pilgrims in just five months, compared to previous seasons.

Read Also: Saudi Arabia Issues Guidelines For Accompanying Children During Umrah

Notably, the validity period for the stay after the pilgrim’s arrival in Saudi Arabia remains unchanged at three months. As part of it, the ministry has made some amendments in the Umrah visa regulations.

As per the new regulations, the Umrah visa will be cancelled after 30 days from the date of issuance if the pilgrim does not register to enter Saudi Arabia.

Read Also: Saudi Arabia Issues Guidelines For Accompanying Children During Umrah

The decision is part of the ministry’s preparations for the expected surge in Umrah pilgrims, according to Ahmed Bajaeifer, advisor at the National Committee for Umrah and Visit. The measure is believed to prevent  overcrowding in Makkah and Medina.