Saudi Arabia Introduces Umrah E-Visa Application: So Within 24 Hours, Can Order Vehicles

Illustration of the Grand Mosque, Mecca, Saudi Arabia. (Wikimedia Commons/Saudipics.com)

JAKARTA - The government of Saudi Arabia announced that pilgrims who wish to perform Umrah can submit a visa application, through an electronic processing application.

Pilgrims wishing to perform Umrah can now apply for a visa via an electronic processing application, the Saudi Arabian government said.

"The visa will be issued within 24 hours of submitting the application," Minister of Hajj and Umrah Tawfiq Al Rabiah told reporters, citing The National News June 3.

Rabiah further said that Saudi Arabia also extended the validity of the Umrah visa, from one month to three months.

"People who intend to visit other Saudi cities after performing Umrah can do so without restrictions," he said.

"Developing Hajj and Umrah services is part of the kingdom's Vision 2030, and the ministry is working tirelessly on this aspect."

Not only that, the new application process will also allow pilgrims to easily find accommodation and book transportation as well.

Regarding Hajj, Saudi Arabia's government said earlier this year it would allow one million pilgrims this year after reducing the number in the past two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Previously, only 1,000 pilgrims from within the kingdom were allowed to participate in worship in 2020. The number increased to 60,000 last year, with participants selected by lottery for fully vaccinated citizens and residents.

"We are aware that there are many Hajj applications this year, but the safety of the pilgrims is our priority," he said.

Nearly 2.5 million people performed religious rituals in 2019, as the Hajj is one of the largest gatherings in the world. Worship is one of the five pillars of Islam and must be performed by Muslims at least once in their life.

The ministry said registration of Hajj in the kingdom would begin on Friday. People who wish to take part in the service have nine days to register. Those who submit applications early, will not necessarily be prioritized in the final selection of pilgrims.