Islamabad, Feb 4: Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has announced that residents of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries can now perform Umrah using various visa options, including transit and tourist visas, in addition to the traditional Umrah visa.
This move aims to simplify the pilgrimage process and improve accessibility for GCC residents. The transit visa allows travelers to stay in the Kingdom for up to 96 hours. The ministry also emphasized that visitors wishing to pray at Al Rawdah Al-Sharif in the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina must secure prior reservations through the Nusuk application.
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In August 2024, Saudi Arabia had expanded Umrah eligibility, allowing individuals with any type of visa including tourism and personal visit visas from around the world to undertake the pilgrimage. Additionally, foreign visitors holding valid visas from the United States, the United Kingdom, or Schengen countries are also permitted to perform Umrah during their stay in the Kingdom. These measures align with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which aims to enhance religious tourism while ensuring top-tier services for pilgrims.
