REPUBLICA.CO.ID, RIYADH — Saudi Arabia announced that anyone holding different types of visas will now be allowed to perform umrah worship easily.
Visitors from anywhere and on any visa can meet the Umrah easily and comfortably.
Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Hajj and Umrah states that Umrah worship is accessible to holders of all visas, including personal, family, transit, labor, and e-visas. “Whatever the type of visa, you can do umroh,” he added, as reported by Gulf News on Thursday (25/4/2024).
Worshippers are encouraged to use the Nusuk application to obtain umrah permission and adhere to a set time for worship at the Masjid al-Haram in Makkah.
In addition, the Nusuk platform facilitates various procedures, including accommodation arrangements, for Muslims planning to perform umrah and visit Medina.
In recent months, the kingdom has introduced a number of facilities for overseas Muslims to come to the country to perform umrah.
The initiative aims to accommodate the millions of Muslims around the world who perform umrah, especially those who may not be able to participate in the annual Hajj service due to physical or financial constraints.
Recent improvements include extending the duration of umroh visas from 30 to 90 days, allowing entry through all land, air, and sea ports, and eliminating the requirement for female worshippers to be accompanied by male guardians.
In addition, expatriates in Gulf Cooperation Council countries and Schengen visa holders, the United States, and the United Kingdom can now make an umrah appointment through the Nusuk application before arriving in Saudi Arabia.
Not only that, the Saudi government has also launched a new multilingual call center to improve communication with worshippers from around the world, the number being “1966".
This was at the initiative of the Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Tawfiq Al Rabiah, at the time of the Umrah and Pilgrimage Forum in nine languages to provide a good experience for worshippers visiting Saudi Arabia.
Umrah visas are now also valid for three months or 90 days from the date of issue. It refers to new rules issued by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
As reported by Gulf News on Monday (15/4/2024), the change is part of a coordinated effort with the Saudi Foreign Ministry to simplify preparations for the annual hajj season.
The announcement was delivered in answer to various questions on the “X” platform. This also marks a change from the previous system that the three-month validity period begins after visa holders enter Saudi Arabia.
The Saudi ministry added that the validity period of the umrah visa is three months from the date of this issue with the stipulation that the expiration date is no later than 15 Dhulqadah.
The ministry stressed that the changes aim to better manage the influx and activity of worshippers ahead of and during the Hajj season.
“The extension of the umrah visa expiration date from 29 Dzulqadah to 15 Dzulqadah is to smooth the flow of worshippers to the holy cities of Makkah and Medina from around the world for the annual Hajj pilgrimage,” the ministry said in a statement, reported by the Saudi Gazette on Monday (15/4/2024).
“This 15th Dhulqadah date was approved, two weeks (14 days) earlier than the previously announced expiration date of 29 Dzulqadah,” the statement added.
Earlier, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah had also issued a notice that the umrah visa is valid specifically for the purposes of worship in the Holy Land, and should not be used for work or other non-pilgrimage activities.
They stressed the importance of complying with visa regulations, especially in light of the recent abuse of visas. Worshippers are also asked to leave Saudi Arabia before their visas expire and respect the terms of their stay.
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