Saudi Arabia opens Umrah to all visa holders under new initiative

Gulf Today Report

In a major development, Saudi Arabia has announced that all visa holders, including those with personal, family, tourist, transit, work, and other visas, are now eligible to perform Umrah while in the Kingdom.

“All holders of visas of various types can perform Umrah during their stay in the Kingdom,” the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has confirmed in a statement.

The move is part of the country's efforts to streamline Umrah procedures and enhance accessibility to services within the broader Hajj and Umrah system, in line with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.

The move underscores Saudi Arabia's continued dedication to facilitating the arrival of pilgrims from around the world to perform their religious duties with ease and peace of mind.

The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has recently launched the Nusuk Umrah platform, which allows users to easily select Umrah packages, obtain permits, and book services electronically.

This integrated platform provides pilgrims with greater flexibility in choosing their timings and services, the ministry said.

The ministry highlighted that these measures reflected the Saudi government's commitment to ensuring a safe and spiritually enriching experience for pilgrims visiting the Two Holy Mosques, the SPA said in a report.  

The initiative also reflected the keenness of the Saudi government, under the leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and the Crown Prince, to deliver high-quality services and make the Umrah journey more accessible.