The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has announced new regulations for Umrah visas, aimed at organizing the flow of pilgrims arriving from abroad and ensuring their smooth movement in the two holy cities.
Ahmed Bajuaifer, an advisor to the National Committee for Umrah and Visit, explained that these measures are part of the ministry’s preparations to receive large numbers of Hajj and Umrah pilgrims, especially after the end of the summer season and the drop in temperatures in Mecca and Medina, and to prevent overcrowding at the holy sites.
The new decision, which will be implemented starting next week, shortens the visa’s validity period from three months to one month from the date of issuance. It will be automatically canceled after 30 days if the pilgrim has not entered the Kingdom, while the permitted duration of stay after arrival remains unchanged at three months.
It is noteworthy that the number of Umrah visas issued to pilgrims from abroad since the beginning of the new season last June has exceeded four million.
