How to Get Umrah and Hajj Visa to Saudi Arabia?

Planning to go for Umrah and Hajj in 2020? To make your trip tension-free, you need to know the Umrah and Hajj visa requirements. Below is a comprehensive guide to assist the people:

How to Get the Umrah Visa?

Umrah can be performed at any time of the year according to your own convenience. It is important to apply for the Umrah visa through an approved Umrah travel agent. Moreover, you also need to get the Umrah packages that is having all the basic facilities for your Umrah journey. 

Requirements for Umrah Visa

Below are the requirements that need to be fulfilled to get the Umrah visa:

1- A person needs to fill the original Umrah visa application form. It is important for the individual to read the end statement on the application form carefully and sign it. To get the visa application form by the post, you need to send a large, self-addressed envelope to your nearest Saudi Consulate. 

Note: If any person is having a non-Muslin name, then he or she should provide a certificate from a Mosque or an Islamic center that should show the applicant is a Muslim. 

2-One recently taken passport size photograph with a white background should be attached with the application form. Remember that the photograph should be a full-face view and the applicant should be facing the camera directly. The side or angled view of the face is NOT accepted

3-The passport of the applicant should be valid for at least 6 months from the date of submission of the application form.

4-Confirmed and non-refundable airline ticket is also essential. The departure from Saudi Arabia should be done within two weeks from the date of entry.

5-Women and children should come with their husband/father or a male relative (Mahram). Proof of the relationship should be provided. It will include a marriage certificate for a wife, a birth certificate for the child that should have name of both parents. The Mahram should be traveling on the same flight with the wife and children. 

Note: If a woman is older than the 45 years old, then she is allowed to travel without a Mahram. But if she is traveling with an organized group or family, then she should provide a “No Objection Certificate” from her Mahram.

Note: If the applicant is not national of the country from where he or she is applying, then the individual should provide a valid residency permit along with the application. 

6- A vaccination certificate against the Meningococcal Meningitis should be attached with the application. The certificate of the vaccination should note be issued for more than three years and not less than 10 days before entering Saudi Arabia. The certificate should be valid for three years. The pilgrim should have a vaccination certificate when entering Saudi Arabia. 

Umrah Visa Validity 

Umrah visa is valid for only 2 weeks. The pilgrim should perform the Umrah within 2 weeks. A person should ensure that the departure from Saudi Arabia should be within two weeks of the date of entry.

Note: The visa for the Umrah in Ramadan should not exceed the last day of Ramadan. The pilgrim should leave Saudi Arabia by the end of Ramadan and they can’t celebrate the Eid-ul-Fitr in Saudi Arabia.

Fee for the Visa 

Note that the Umrah and Hajj visas are free but the pilgrims have to pay for services they will get in Saudi Arabia.

How to Get the Hajj Visa?

A person can get the Hajj application form the nearest Saudi Consulate. In addition to this, it is advisable for a person to appoint a licensed travel agent, who will be arranging the visa, taking care of the traveling, accommodation, and other essential things to perform the Hajj. The travel agent will be sending your application form to the Saudi Consulate.

Remember that the Hajj visas are issued from Mid-Shawwal until 25th Dhual-Qa'dah of every year.

Fee for the Hajj Visa 

Hajj and Umrah visas are free. Note that for Hajj, a pilgrim will have to pay two checks for covering the cost of guides, Zamzam water agents, tent accommodation in the Mina and Arafat along with the transportation costs. A person can inquire about the charges from the nearest Saudi Consulate 

Requirements for Hajj Visa 

The Hajj visa requirements are listed below:

1-The applicant should have a passport that should be valid for at least more than six months. It should be acceptable for the entry of Saudi Arabia and entry on the other destination. The passport should be having at least two empty visa pages adjacent to each other. 

2-Every applicant should have a recent passport size color photograph that is having a white background. The photograph should have a full-face view instead of having a side or angled view. Note that some agents may need two photographs. One will be used for the visa application and others will be used for the identification card. 

3- It is important for the applicant to submit a completed application form that should be filled with a black ink pen or printed. The application form should be signed and stamped by the authorized travel agency.

4-The Mahram is advised to write the complete information of his spouse and children or any relatives traveling with him. It is also recommended to provide a copy of marriage or birth certificates.

Note: Women should be traveling with a Mahram. Proof of kinship must be submitted along with the application form. If the age of a woman is more than 45, she can travel without a Mahram with an organized group or with a family. But she needs to submit a No Objection Certificate” from her Mahram that will be authorizing her to travel for Hajj with the named group. 

5-The Hajj applicant should have a non-refundable roundtrip ticket with the confirmed reservations.

6-The applicant should also submit proof of vaccination for meningitis and ACYW135. For infants and children up to 15 years of age, a vaccination report will be required for polio as well as meningitis. Children with age of more than 15 years, should provide the same vaccinations requested for adults. The certificate of vaccination should not be issued for more than three years and it should not be less than 10 days before entering Saudi Arabia.

7-Every pilgrim should submit two certified checks or cashier checks that should be payable to the 'Unified Agents Office' in Jeddah for the pilgrimage services. The cost will be covering the charges of guides, Zamzam water agents, tent accommodation in Mina and Arafat along with the transportation costs.

Note that these checks should include the name and the passport number of the pilgrim along with the date and place of issue. It is recommended for every applicant to pay the appropriate fees. Note that the pilgrims can submit one check for all the fees. For the children with ages of seven and fifteen, half the amount shall be paid. Children under the age of seven don’t have to pay any fee. It is best to get in touch with the Saudi Consulate in your country to know about the correct charges.

Note: Applicants who are not the nationals of the country, then they should submit documented proof of legal residence status. Furthermore, if the applicant has converted to Islam, then the certificate from the Islamic center should be provided. 

Note: The authorities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia reserve the right to return any pilgrims in case they find any wrong or false information about the residency.

Children can travel with their parents. When a person is applying for a visa, then the names of children should be included in the parent passport. Furthermore, children's birth certificates should also be attached. Children and women age less than 45 should travel with a Mahram (a male relative).

Note: An applicant under the age of 18 will not be granted a visa if he or she is not traveling with his family.

This was a detailed information for getting the Hajj and Umrah visa to Saudi Arabia. To make your journey comfortable, it is good to book the affordable Umrah and Hajj packages by an authorized travel agent. Make sure that you get all the facilities to make your journey memorable and convenient.