People from India travel to Saudi Arabia every year for Hajj and Umrah. While Hajj takes place during a fixed period, Umrah can be performed at any time of the year.
Now, Saudi Arabia has announced a major change in its Umrah visa policy. The validity of the Umrah entry visa has been reduced from three months to just one month.
Visa Now Valid for Only 30 Days
Under the new rule, pilgrims must enter Saudi Arabia within 30 days of their visa being issued.
If a traveler does not enter the country within this period, the visa will automatically become invalid and cannot be used for Umrah.
According to reports citing sources from Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, only the entry validity has been reduced. The permitted stay after arriving in Saudi Arabia will continue to remain up to three months.
When Will the New Rule Start?
The revised visa rules are expected to come into effect next week.
Under the updated system, any Umrah visa holder who fails to register and enter Saudi Arabia within 30 days of visa issuance will have their visa revoked.
Pilgrims planning their journey should therefore make sure their travel dates fall within the new validity period.
Why Did Saudi Arabia Make This Change?
Officials say the decision is part of preparations for a larger number of Umrah pilgrims in the coming months.
As temperatures in Mecca and Medina become more comfortable after the summer season, more people are expected to visit for Umrah.
The new rule is aimed at improving crowd management and reducing congestion in the holy cities.
Ahmad Bazaffar Zafar, adviser to the National Committee for Umrah and Visitation, said the change will help authorities better manage the growing number of visitors.
Record Number of Umrah Pilgrims
Saudi Arabia is already witnessing a record-breaking Umrah season.
Since the start of the new Umrah season in early June, more than 4 million Umrah visas have been issued to foreign pilgrims. This is the highest number recorded in the first five months of an Umrah season.
How Many Indians Perform Umrah?
India remains one of the largest sources of Umrah pilgrims.
According to Saudi government data, around 1.8 million Indian Muslims performed Umrah in 2023, making India the third-largest contributor of Umrah pilgrims worldwide.
Unlike Hajj, Umrah can be performed at any time of the year, which is why millions of pilgrims continue to visit Mecca throughout the year.
