Saudi Arabia makes changes to visa rules for Umrah

RIYADH, Oct. 31 (YPA) – Saudi Arabia has introduced new amendments to Umrah visa regulations. Under the changes, Umrah visas will be automatically canceled 30 days after issuance if the pilgrim has not entered Saudi Arabia within that period, Saudi media sources reported.

According to the sources, the new policy will take effect next week. The validity of the visa before entry has been reduced from three months to one month from the date of issuance. However, there will be no change to the permitted length of stay once the pilgrim arrives in Saudi Arabia – it will remain at three months, the sources confirmed.

The decision is part of Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah’s preparations for the anticipated surge in Umrah pilgrims, particularly after the end of summer and the drop in temperatures in Makkah and Madinah.

Since June, Saudi Arabia has issued more than 4 million Umrah visas, which is a record for the five-month period and indicates a high number of foreign pilgrims this season. This record-breaking attendance surpasses previous seasons, and the new Umrah season began in early June.

@E.Y.M