Saudi Arabia Cuts Umrah Visa Validity To One Month, Here's What It Means

There’s more to know about the Saudi Arabia visa! All unspent Umrah visas will be immediately revoked thirty days following their issuance, per Al Arabiya, per the new regulations that are set to be implemented next week. Individuals who enter during the validity period are allowed to stay in the Kingdom for a maximum of three months.

The holy towns experience a boom in Umrah activity in the winter; therefore, officials believe this decision is to minimise overcrowding during that time. Since June, just five months after the program's inception, officials have issued an unprecedented high of over four million Umrah visas. Planning a Saudi visit visa as an Indian? Here’s what you need to know about the latest developments! 

New developments in the Saudi Arabia umrah visa

Al Arabiya reports that to expedite the arrival process, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has revised the regulations on Umrah visas. The new regulation states that if a pilgrim does not enter Saudi Arabia within 30 days of their Umrah visa being issued, the visa will be automatically terminated.

The previous grace period for pilgrims to enter the Kingdom was three months beginning on the date of visa issuance. The new policy tightens the timeline for pilgrims to plan their visits by limiting the pre-entry window to one month. Visitors still have plenty of time to finish their pilgrimage and other religious activities because the duration of stay remains three months after they enter Saudi Arabia. The government has officially announced the implementation of these revised regulations next week. 

In an interview with Al Arabiya, Ahmed Bajaeifer—an adviser to the National Committee for Umrah and Visit—explained the rationale behind the adjustments, saying that they are in line with the ministry's larger plans for an anticipated increase in the number of Umrah pilgrims. The dip in temperature in Mecca and Medina, signalling the end of summer, is usually followed by a surge in pilgrimage activity, so this increase makes sense. 

Bajaeifer stressed that the purpose is to help authorities handle the increasing influx of tourists, avoid congestion in the two sacred towns, and ensure the safety of all pilgrims. So if you are looking to get more information on the Saudi Arabia visa for Indians, you might need to know why there is a change in the new rules. But before you fly, here's a list of items you cannot take to Saudi Arabia! 

Before You Fly In, Here Are Items That Are Absolutely Banned in Saudi Arabia

New changes in the Saudi Arabia umrah visa

Over four million foreign pilgrims have received Umrah visas from Saudi Arabia since the current season began in early June. This year's astounding figures have surpassed all expectations within just five months of the official opening of the season, marking a truly record-breaking turnout compared to previous seasons. Efforts to safely and efficiently accommodate the increasing number of pilgrims while maintaining the high level of services in Mecca and Medina are currently underway, according to officials. The additional measures are part of these efforts. The National Committee for Umrah and Visit Advisor, Ahmed Bajafar, claims that the alterations are an effort to increase openness and organisation in the Umrah process. "We aim to manage crowds better, enhance the quality of our services, and guarantee that every pilgrim has a serene, secure, and spiritually fulfilling journey," he stated.

Furthermore, Saudi Arabia has emphasised that all legitimate visa holders, including those with business and personal visit visas, are now allowed to perform Umrah during their trip, as long as their paperwork and reservations comply with official platforms. There has been a change toward a more organised pilgrimage process, as the Kingdom instituted more stringent pre-booking regulations for lodging and transportation earlier in October.

Saudi Arabia visa for Indians—important things to know 

• Visa validity lengthened: Once valid for three months, the duration of Umrah visas has been lowered to one month from the date of issuance. Visas that have not been used will expire after 30 days.
• Restricted entry for tourists: Operators have issued a warning that pilgrims from specific nations who enter Saudi Arabia on tourist visas may be refused entry to Medina's Haram or Riyaz ul Jannah. You should definitely get a dedicated Umrah visa.
• Mandatory checking: Upon arrival, the Saudi government will check the validity of your hotel and transportation reservations at the airport. Denial of entrance or fines could result from missing or inconsistent details.
• Stringent adherence to itineraries: When applying for a visa, applicants are required to submit a comprehensive itinerary. Visa suspension and fines may follow any modification, postponement, or overstay
• Official transportation: You can book a taxi, bus, or rail through Nusuk or Masar. If pilgrims use unapproved services, they can be subject to fines or perhaps denied passage onwards. Official taxis and the Haramain Express are the only means of transportation allowed: the latter runs every day until 9 p.m., while the former is reserved for pilgrims.
• Accommodation rules: Pilgrims are obligated to book their accommodations through the Masar system, which is connected to the official Nusuk platform, in the process of applying for a visa. Digital verification of the Saudi host's ID number is required for those staying with family.

• • Fines: If a pilgrim or their agent violates the new Umrah restrictions or attempts to avoid using the official booking channels, they will be subject to hefty fines.