We are all living in
the nation-state structure. Therefore, the boundaries of every country are
closed for outsiders. However, every person requires a visa from the embassy to
enter in a particular country.
Similarly, for Hajj or
Umrah, you require a visa from the Saudi embassy. It is a mandatory
requirement. No one can perform Hajj or Umrah without a visa.
In this post, we will
tell you about Umrah visa requirements and Hajj visa requirements. If
you opt for a travel agent, then your visa and flight tickets are
included in Cheaper Umrah packages and Hajj packages. So, you
must read the post entirely. It will educate you in detail.
Visa-free countries
The Saudi government
has diplomatic ties with four countries that allow the citizens of that country
to travel to the KSA without a Visa. If you are from these four countries, then
you can enter the KSA without applying for a visa in the embassy.
These four countries
are Oman, UAE, Kuwait, and Bahrain. Moreover, the citizens of KSA also can
travel to these four countries without a visa.
How to apply for a
Saudi visa?
There are two ways you
can get a visa. The first way is to apply online through the Saudi embassy's
website. You will get an electronic visa through your email upon approval. The
second way is to opt for a travel agent.
Saudi tour operators
are familiar with the visa application procedure. They will ask you for a few
documents and your passport. After then, your application will be forwarded.
And you will get visa stamps on your passport.
Visa fees are included
in December umrah packages 2023 of all providers. It is a
compulsory fee that is summed up in your overall bill.
Requirements to get an
online visa
For all Umrah packages
and Hajj packages, you can get an online visa. But you need to fulfil all the
requirements of the embassy, which are given below.
- You must have at least six months
of validity on your passport.
- You must submit a completed
application form online.
- You must pay the application fee
for the visa.
- You must have a valid email address
where you can receive an electronic visa.
- It's essential to have a recent
photograph, which contains a white background. The picture shows your full
face directly to the camera. Side poses are not accepted.
- You must have a non-refundable
ticker from your country to the KSA.
- A meningitis vaccination
certificate having less than three years of age is also applicable.
Moreover, it's also shouldn't need to be younger than ten days.
- You must have a certificate from
your local mosque if you are converted to Islam and do not have a Muslim
name. Your mosque must certify that you are a Muslim.
- Women and children need to be
accompanied by their husband/father or a male relative (Mahram). That's
why proof of relationship is required for a visa.
- Women over 45 can get a visa
without a Mahram. But she has to provide a no-objection certificate from
her Mahram.
The above conditions
also apply for manual visa application through your travel agent. All Umrah
packages and Hajj packages will also ask you the same conditions.
Requirements for Umrah
visa
Hajj is a busy event in
the KSA. However, travelers can opt for Umrah at any time of the year. The
following are the requirements for the Umrah visa.
- Umrah visa is not permitted to
the last day of Ramadan. Travelers have to leave before the last day of
Ramadan.
- Visa for Umrah is only for two
weeks.
- Visa for Umrah is not valid for
Eid-ul-Fitr.
- Applicants must have return tickets
before the end of visa validity.
Insurance policy for
Umrah visitors
Umrah visitors are
bound by the law of the Kingdom to opt for insurance. However, you do not need
to get insurance individually. The company for cooperative insurance (Taunia)
covers all Umrah visitors. Therefore, Umrah visitors can get care in public and
private hospitals.
You will get coverage
in the following cases.
- If your flight delayed.
- If your flight is cancelled.
- If you have an accident.
- If there is a disaster in the
Kingdom.
Insurance coverage is a
must for all Umrah packages and Hajj packages.