Embark on a Sacred Journey: Know the 5 Visas for the New Umrah Season 2023

Greetings Pilgrims! As Saudi Arabia announced the commencement of the new Umrah Season from July 11th, 2023, it also made the visa application process for the same smoother and more convenient.

According to Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, as a citizen or resident of a GCC nation, you can easily apply for an Umrah permit through Nusuk or Tawakalna applications. Furthermore, you can apply to perform Umrah using any of the 5 visas that we are going to tell you about further in this write-up.

Let’s know all that we must know about how to embark on the spiritual journey of Umrah this season!

Nusuk Platform: Your Official Guide to Mecca and Medina

This is a mobile application that complies with Apple and Android devices and offers pilgrims like you, information about immigration requirements, group Umrah packages, and the customs that you should follow during Umrah. 

5 Visas That Will Help You Perform Umrah

1.) Transit Visa

With this free transit visa, you can stay up to 4 days in the country and perform Umrah as well. The transit visa will remain valid for 3 months, meaning that you can apply for the visa even 90 days prior to your travel.

If you book your air tickets to Saudi from any of the airlines in the country - Saudia or flynas, you will also get a complimentary night stay with the ticket. Once you have made your travel plans, get ready for an exciting question: Where do you want to stop over in Saudi Arabia?

With six international airports to choose from, you'll have some fantastic options depending on your itinerary. Simply inform the concerned authorities how many days you would like to stay, keeping in mind that the maximum permitted stay is four days.

2.) eVisa for Expatriates in GCC Countries

Are you an expat residing in a GCC country? If so, you too can perform Umrah using this visa irrespective of your profession. You can even apply for a multiple or single-entry visa.

You can use this visa to perform Umrah at any time of the year except during the Hajj season.  The loved ones of GCC residents and domestic workers visiting with their patron are eligible to obtain an eVisa. However, expat dependents must possess a valid residence visa from a GCC nation, as stated on the Saudi Arabia Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) website. 

Ensure your residency document is valid for a minimum of 3 months and that your passport has at least six months of validity. To apply for the visa, access MOFA's online visa platform at visa.mofa.gov.sa.

3.) Instant eVisa for UK, US, and Schengen Visa Holders

If you possess a tourist visa for the UK, US, or Schengen countries or if you are a permanent resident of a European Union (EU) nation, you can easily obtain an instant eVisa.

Those who hold justifiable tourism or business visas from the US, UK, or Schengen countries are eligible for this exception, as long as the visa has been utilised at least once to enter the issuing country.

Moreover, with this visa, you have the opportunity to perform Umrah at any time during the year when you visit Saudi Arabia, except during the Hajj season.

4.) Visa on Arrival

As per the Ministry of Tourism in Saudi Arabia, individuals holding US, UK, and Schengen visas, along with their immediate family members, can obtain a visa upon arrival.

If you don’t possess a visit visa or residency permit from the European Union, Schengen area, US, or UK, there are more than 40 countries eligible for a visa on arrival in Saudi Arabia.

Visit Saudi advises that once you reach the airport or an entry point in Saudi Arabia, you should use the self-service kiosk or directly visit the passport control office to apply for a visa on arrival.

If you are eligible for a visa on arrival, you will have the opportunity to perform Umrah throughout the year, except during the Hajj season.

5.) Saudi Investor eVisa

Foreign investors who meet the criteria can seek an eVisa for single or multiple entries, along with the option to perform Umrah. Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) has introduced the 'visiting investor' eVisa in a phased approach, currently available to investors from specific countries.

When filling out the online application form, you will be notified if you are eligible for the sponsor-free business visa based on your nationality selection. Note that the cost of the eVisa varies based on factors such as visa duration, validity, and the extent of medical insurance coverage required.

But what if you do not qualify for any of these visas? Can you still perform the Holy Umrah? The answer is Yes! The Nusuk platform has stated 3 options that will enable you to perform Umrah -

• Getting visa via Umrah Package Providers
• Authorised Visa Offices - Tasheer
• Applying for Visa via a Saudi Embassy or Consulate

Umrah is among the holiest pilgrimages and goes on all year round. To ensure that you perform your Umrah with peace of mind and become more spiritual over time, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has provided 5 types of visa to choose from, helping you with a great point to begin your spiritual journey.

Written By: Tanvi Pathak

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