Saudi Arabia's Hajj Ministry has introduced the Multiple-Entry Umrah Visa with a one-year validity period.
The ministry's announcement reads that this was done for the convenience of pilgrims, and is an important step that was taken in achieving the Saudi Vision 2030 and objectives in the "Pilgrim Experience Program".
Details about the new visa
- Those who obtain the visa will be able to enter Saudi Arabia for 365 days (one year) from the day the visa is approved.
- Even though individuals can enter Saudi Arabia multiple times for the duration of the visa, they can only stay in Saudi Arabia for a maximum of 90 consecutive days at a time.
- Services packages are to be purchased from the "Nusuk" platform for each pilgrimage by those who were granted access by Saudi Arabia.
- Permission to go for Umrah must be requested within the "Nusuk" application.
- The visa will deactivate once the pilgrimage is complete and the pilgrim leaves the country. It will reactivate once requirements for the next pilgrimage are met.
According to the ministry, entry to Saudi Arabia during Hajj season with the visa will not be possible. The visa will be discontinued each year from the first day of Dhu'l-Qaida to the 13th day of Dhu'l-Hijja.
The ministry went on to say that with this change, making plans for Umrah will become more convenient, with digital and operational services strengthening as well.
While the number of pilgrims going to Hajj and Umrah each year from Maldives has been increasing, Maldives' Islamic Ministry has said that more than 4,000 people have gone to Saudi Arabia for the Umrah pilgrimage in July during the school term break via various groups.
