No journey is more fulfilling for the Muslim than embarking on a pilgrimage to the almighty Allah’s terrestrial abode. The Umrah allows anybody with the desire and resources to refresh their faith and obtain the blessings and forgiveness of Allah Almighty.
To ensure a stress-free arrival in Saudi Arabia, especially if you are traveling from Pakistan, we can walk you through the procedure on how to apply for an Umrah visa from Pakistan. This is a complete guide to obtaining a Saudi Umrah visa, along with its requirements, eligibility, and procedures.
All About Saudi Umrah Visa
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) issues an Umrah visa, which allows you to enter the country to complete the Umrah pilgrimage. This religious pilgrimage can be completed at any time of year. Most pilgrims, however, choose to conduct it during the holy month of Ramadan, so it counts as having completed Hajj. To perform the pilgrimage, visitors must have a valid Saudi Umrah visa to enter the country. Umrah can be performed by Muslims around the world.
Who Requires an Umrah Visa
All pilgrims from outside Saudi Arabia have to apply for an Umrah visa. However, there are exceptions for a few countries, including:
- Bahrain
- Kuwait
- Oman
- Qatar
As of April 2022, the Government of Saudi Arabia made an announcement to allow anyone with a valid Schengen, US, or UK visa to perform an Umrah without a need to apply for a separate Umrah visa.
Requirements for Umrah Visa
Prepare the documents for your Umrah visa in advance to avoid any rejections. The requirements are as follows:
- Application form
- Passport size photograph
- Valid passport (6-month validity)
- Non-refundable flight tickets
- Evidence of female pilgrims with their mahram (partner/brother/father)
- Health insurance that covers Covid-19 infections
- Proof of meningitis vaccine that is at least ten days old but no older than three years
It is important to note that applicants with non-Muslim names will be required to present verification of their Muslim status from their local masjids or Islamic organizations.
Please keep in mind that female pilgrims over the age of 45 do not need a male partner or proof of connection as long as they go with a group organization.
Processing Time for Umrah Visa
In most cases, an Umrah visa takes 5 to 10 days to process, depending on your country of residence.
Procedure for Umrah Visa
To apply for an Umrah visa through the traditional method, you must locate Saudi Arabia-approved Umrah Travel Agents and fill out an application form after submitting the required travel documents. Then, one would have to wait a few days until the visa processing is completed and applications to visit Saudi Arabia are accepted.
Saudi Arabia Embassy in Islamabad, Pakistan
Address: Ramna 5 Diplomatic Enclave, Islamabad.
Open Hours: 9:30am – 4pm
Contact Number: (051) 2600900
FAQs
Q. Can I apply for an Umrah visa from Pakistan?
Ans. Since Pakistan is ineligible to apply for the Saudi e-Visa, Pakistanis who intend to do Umrah in the KSA must apply for the visa at the nearest Saudi Arabia Embassy in their country. Additionally, you can consult an approved travel agency for this purpose.
Q. How can I get an Umrah visa from Pakistan 2022?
Ans. To obtain an Umrah visa, see the section of “Requirement of Umrah Visa” to know the complete details.
Q. Can I apply for an Umrah visa online?
Ans. You can not apply for a Saudi e-Visa because the online service is not available for the residents of Pakistan. Check out the section of “Procedure for Umrah Visa” to know the details.
Q. Which month is cheapest to perform Umrah?
Ans. Summer. Temperatures are unusually high from June to August. Unlike in the spring, however, these months are less crowded for pilgrims, with the added benefit of a lower pricing of the umrah package.
Q. Can my Umrah visa get rejected?
Ans. Visa payments are completely non-refundable. The Saudi authorities may refuse your visa (tourist or Umrah) for any reason, though this is extremely rare!
Q. What causes an Umrah visa to be rejected?
Ans. An applicant’s present and/or past behaviors, such as drug or criminal activity, may disqualify the applicant from receiving a visa. In most situations, if a visa is denied, the applicant is informed of the applicable part of law.
Q. Can I perform Umrah with a tourist visa?
Ans. Yes, you can perform Umrah on a tourist visa, and it has various benefits over an Umrah visa. You can, for example, stay longer, and it comes with multiple entries. Tourist visas, on the other hand, are more difficult to obtain, and you have a better chance of acquiring a pilgrimage visa if you apply through a recognised travel agency. With a tourist visa, you can only do Umrah and not Hajj..
Q. Which places can I visit with an Umrah visa?
Ans. You can only visit the below cities with an Umrah visa.
- Jeddah
- Makkah
- Medina
