Umrah: New Visa Rules

Significant changes have been introduced in the Umrah New Visa Rules pilgrimage process, simplifying it for your convenience. Our article on Umrah’s new visa rules aims to assist you in planning your Umrah journey with ease.

At Salambooking.com, we diligently update our information daily, relying on various sources throughout the entire process. For further updates and answers to your questions, consider subscribing to our Salambooking.com email list and stay informed. You can also visit VisitSaudi for more information.Saudi Arabia’s New Visa Rules

This article holds particular significance for Muslims traveling to Umrah from outside Türkiye. Now, you have the opportunity to obtain your own tourist visa for Saudi Arabia without the need for an agent.

Saudi Arabia unveiled Vision 2030 a few years ago, a visionary project aimed at boosting the tourism sector to accommodate 30 million visitors by 2030, not only for Umrah pilgrims but also for general tourists. As part of this endeavor, we have prepared a guide on performing Umrah with a Saudi Tourist Visa, which promises to unveil the beauty of Saudi Arabia beyond its holy sites. The promotional efforts and videos for this project paint a captivating picture of what’s in store.

For Muslim travelers, this development marks a significant departure from the conventional practice of being restricted to Jeddah, Mecca, and Medina under an Umrah visa. To gain a comprehensive understanding of the Umrah procedure with a Saudi Tourist Visa, you can refer to the official Saudi Tourism website. There, you can explore promotional videos and gain insights into places to visit, dine, and discover.

Saudi Arabia’s drive toward modernization and the relaxation of previous restrictions are pivotal for the growth of tourism. According to Tourism Chief Ahmed El-Khateeb in an interview with Reuters, conservative dress is still mandatory, even on public beaches, with abayas required for women when leaving their accommodations.

The multiple-entry tourist visa is valid for one year, allowing a maximum stay of 90 days, while the single-entry tourist visa is valid for three months, with a permitted stay of up to 30 days.

Undertaking Umrah With A Tourist Visa

For those contemplating a journey to Umrah using a tourist visa, we encourage you to peruse our informative article on the latest Umrah New Visa Rules. It provides essential insights into the regulations governing Umrah visas.

It’s important to note that any individual planning a visit to Saudi Arabia must obtain a tourist visa. This requirement applies to all, including children of any age, including newborns.

To facilitate your Umrah experience, you’ll need the Nusuk app (formerly known as Eatmarna). To register, simply download the Nusuk app and provide a foreign phone number. With this app, you can make reservations in advance.

However, it’s crucial to emphasize that your Umrah reservation must still be made through Nusak (Eatmarna).

Nusuk is a user-friendly application, and we’ll guide you through the process step by step.

How Does The Process Work?

If you are a citizen of one of the countries listed in the Countries Eligible for Tourist E-Visa or hold a USA or Schengen Visa, you can effortlessly obtain your tourist visa, even if you are traveling as a single woman, without any additional procedures or the need for special clearance. You can access the list of countries eligible for Saudi E-Visa via the provided link.

Saudi Tourist Visa: A Step-By-Step Guide

Step 1:

Personal Details If your country is among those eligible for tourist visas, the visa application process is relatively straightforward. To begin:

• Register on e.visa.visitsaudi
• Confirm your phone number and email address.

Step 2:

Personal and Passport Details Before proceeding, ensure that your passport has at least 6 months of validity remaining beyond your planned return date. Once confirmed:

• Log in to the website.
• Initiate your application using your passport information.
• Each step allows a generous 10-minute window for completion.
• You can apply individually or as a group.
• Provide your passport details, address, and other required information.

Note: Ensure that your photo features a plain background. Take a picture with your phone and resize it to fit the designated space, or make adjustments within the application.

Additionally, you must have a confirmed hotel reservation. Specify your initial place of stay; if you plan to visit multiple cities, you only need to provide the name of the first hotel on your itinerary.

Step 3:

Health Insurance Health insurance for your Saudi tourist visa can be conveniently arranged through the website. Ensure you purchase travel insurance, which can provide peace of mind while traveling, especially abroad.

Step 4:

Terms and Conditions Review and agree to the standard terms and conditions. These terms cover various aspects, including compliance with local laws, restrictions on drugs and alcohol, and other regulations. As a genuine tourist, adhering to these rules should pose no issue.

Step 5:

Review Your Application Before proceeding, take a moment to thoroughly review your application to ensure accuracy and completeness. This final check ensures a smooth processing experience.

Step 6:

Payment of Fees The total visa cost amounts to 535 SAR, approximately equivalent to €138. Please note that fees may vary depending on the season and specific application circumstances.

Upon completing the preceding steps, you will receive confirmation that your application is under review. It’s now time to patiently await your visa approval. Fortunately, the waiting period is relatively short. In the FAQ section, it states that the processing time ranges from 5 to 30 minutes. In our experience, Saudi Tourist Visas are often issued in less than 10 minutes.

Visiting Saudi Arabia and exploring this remarkable country has become much more accessible, provided your passport is on the list of countries eligible for the new tourist visa, or if you meet the conditions with your US or Schengen Visa. Additionally, the option to perform Umrah on a Tourist visa is a noteworthy convenience for Muslim travelers.

The entire process is remarkably swift, typically taking less than 20 minutes to complete. There’s an interesting detail regarding applications for minors: When selecting that a child is a minor and a guardian is required, there is no option for the mother to be the guardian. However, rest assured, mothers can easily add themselves as guardians without any complications. So, if you’re traveling as a woman with a child, you assume the role of the guardian. Remember to bring a birth certificate, especially if your last names differ, to ensure a smooth experience at the airport.

Carrying Zamzam Water On A Tourist Visa

Saudi Authorities do not officially allow Zamzam water to be carried in a bag or directly in the hand. For Turkish Airlines Qatar Airlines passengers, you are officially allowed to carry a 5L bottle of Zamzam via Airline. Salam Booking delivers 5-liter Zamzam bottles, specially labeled with the names of Umrah passengers, along with their luggage at the return airport. If you are traveling alone with holding Umrah visas, the airline will give you a coupon and you can get your 5 L Zamzam Bottle in exchange for the coupon by showing it with your boarding pass.

Firstly, those holding Umrah visas can transport Zamzam water without encountering significant issues, despite the higher cost and additional restrictions associated with this type of visa. Officially, there is no document explicitly prohibiting the transportation of Zamzam water (if such a document exists, kindly inform us). However, it’s worth noting that many airlines have publicly shared their policies against allowing Zamzam water onboard.

In contrast, tourists holding standard visas often face airline restrictions when attempting to bring Zamzam water. Fortunately, only a select few are granted permission to carry Zamzam in such cases.

Pilgrims originating from Medina have a higher likelihood of successfully practicing their Umrah rituals and bringing back Zamzam through Nusuk procedures. On the other hand, bringing Zamzam from Jeddah airport can pose more significant challenges. It’s essential to understand that these restrictions are imposed by airlines, not the Saudi authorities. The volume of Zamzam that can be carried is typically limited to 5 liters per person. As the number of tourists applying for visas increases, many airlines are inclined to deny these requests due to fuel and cargo expenses. This problem is more prevalent at the bustling Jeddah airport, whereas Medina experiences less traffic, making it easier for check-in agencies to allow Zamzam transport.

Notably, Qatar Airlines and Turkish Airlines do not typically encounter this issue.

Unfortunately, there is no one-size-fits-all answer to the question of whether you can bring Zamzam with a tourist visa. The outcome depends on the specific policies of the airline and the discretion of the authorities.

A potential workaround is to pack a small 500 ml bottle of Zamzam in your luggage. While it may not suffice for sharing with your family, it at least ensures you have some for yourself.

Some travelers opt to send a few bottles via courier services, incurring an approximate cost of €117. If bringing Zamzam water is of utmost importance to you, this alternative may be more cost-effective than obtaining an Umrah visa.

Obtaining A Visa For Saudi Arabia For Turkey And Non-Listed Countries

If Your Country Is Not on the Tourist E-Visa List:

Under the new regulations for Umrah visa applications, the passport details of the applicant are submitted online to the Saudi Arabian Immigration Office.

Saudi Arabia has introduced an initiative in Istanbul to streamline Umrah travel, making it quicker and more convenient. Here are the options for obtaining a visa:

1. Turkish citizens can travel to Saudi Arabia by acquiring a tourist visa through the Saudi Arabian Embassy or Consulate in Turkey.
2. Alternatively, they can obtain a visa within 48 hours through accredited travel and tourism offices in Turkey, as listed on the website of the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
3. Residents of the US, UK, European Union, or Schengen visa holders can also obtain visas at international airports in Jeddah, Medina, Riyadh, and Dammam.

The tourist visa has a validity of one year, allowing stays of up to 90 days. It is a multiple-entry visa, enabling travelers to visit Saudi Arabia as many times as they wish.

If Your Country Is Not on the Tourist E-Visa List (Category B Visa):

For those falling under Category B visa, the visa application process involves additional steps and document requirements. Here’s what you need to know:

Applicant Requirements:

• Applicants must be at least 18 years old.
• Minor applicants must have a guardian aged 18 or older.
• Passports must have a validity of at least 6 months from the date of entry into Saudi Arabia.
• In the event of visa rejection, there will be no refund of visa fees.
• A fee of SAR 100 will be charged for each day of overstaying.
• The applicant’s religion is not a consideration for a tourist visa.
• No sponsor is required for the visa application.

Required Documents Include:

• Accommodation reservation document.
• Return ticket.
• Working Certificate.
• Bank account status document.

Supporting Information May Include:

• Proof of identity.
• Proof of residence.
• Travel plan/itinerary.

Typically, the processing time for an e-Visa is 1-2 business days. It’s important to note that visa pre-checks are conducted by all airlines before passengers board flights to Saudi Arabia.

These guidelines should help individuals from Turkey and non-listed countries navigate the Saudi Arabian visa application process effectively.

Visa For U.S., Europe, Uk, And Schengen Visa Holders

In January 2020, Saudi Arabia announced that those holding visas for the United States, Europe, the United Kingdom, and Schengen countries could also obtain a Saudi Tourist Visa.

For U.S. and Schengen Visa Holders: To obtain a tourist visa upon arrival in Saudi Arabia, the following conditions must be met:

• You should have physically been present in the country that issued your visa.
• Your passport should bear the visa stamp from that country.
• Your passport should have a minimum of 6 months validity.

Umrah Visa Vs. Tourist Visa: A Comparison

Umrah visa rules have undergone changes. Tourist visas have become more affordable and easier to obtain. Notably, you can also perform Umrah with a tourist visa.

This applies to fortunate countries that face no issues in acquiring Umrah visas. However, now there’s no need to go through the more expensive process of obtaining an Umrah visa if you have a tourist visa.

• The tourist visa costs 109€, while the Umrah visa costs 268€.
• For Umrah visas, advance reservations for accommodation and transportation are required, but this is not a prerequisite for tourist visas. Tourist visa holders can make independent reservations.
• There are very few Muslim-majority countries on the list of eligible countries for tourist visas. Therefore, most Muslim-majority countries will still require Umrah visas for entry into Saudi Arabia.

Key Tourist Visa Details:

• Multiple-entry tourist visas are valid for one year, with a maximum stay of 90 days per entry.
• Single-entry tourist visas are valid for three months, with a maximum stay of 30 days per entry.

For Citizens with U.S. and Schengen Visas

To obtain a tourist visa upon arrival in Saudi Arabia, the following conditions apply:

• You must have been physically present in the country that issued your visa.
• Your passport should bear the visa stamp from that country.
• Your passport should have a minimum of 6 months validity.

Important Note: Non-Muslim tourists, even with a tourist visa, cannot enter Mecca and Medina without using a Muslim name or obtaining proof of being a Muslim from a religious authority/imam. This restriction is applicable to non-Muslims visiting Mecca and Medina.

Turkish citizens are also required to obtain Umrah visas, but the process is now faster and more efficient.

New Transit Visa Option For Umrah

The new Transit Visa option for Umrah offers a groundbreaking and cost-effective choice for those seeking to perform Umrah in as little as 4 days. Travelers can take advantage of Saudi Arabia’s new free transit visa. To secure this visa, you need to book a ticket with Saudia or Flynas. It’s an excellent option for those aiming to make a quick stopover in Saudi Arabia while heading to destinations like Jordan or Dubai.

May your journey be filled with blessings and safe travels.

For Umrah Tips please click here.

Eligible Countries