Ministry Of Religion: Saudi Issuance Of Transit Visas But Can't For Hajj

The Director General of Hajj and Umrah at the Ministry of Religion Hilman Latief. (ANTARA/HO-Kemenag)

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Religion (Kemenag) said Saudi Arabia published a new service, namely the issuance of electronic transit visas that can be used for various purposes in Saudi Arabia, but cannot be used for Hajj services. The Ministry of Religion's Director General of Hajj and Umrah (PHU) Hilman Latief said the new service was published as part of Saudi's strategy to achieve the 2030 vision. "I see this service is quite easy for pilgrims who will travel to various countries and transit in Jeddah," Hilman said in a written statement received in Jakarta, Antara, Friday, February 3. This electronic transit visa is intended for tourists. This visa can be used for various destinations in Saudi Arabia, including Umrah and pilgrimages to Medina. Transit visa holders can stay in Saudi Arabia for four days and the visa duration is three months. The visa is free and is issued instantly along with flight tickets for Saudi Arabia's national airlines, namely Saudi Arabia Airlines and Flynas. "Now (tourists) have the option to stay four days first. It can be used for Umrah and Medina pilgrimage," he said. Hilman said transit visas cannot be used for Hajj. According to him, the implementation of the pilgrimage is regulated by Law Number 8 of 2019 concerning the Implementation of Hajj and Umrah. Article 18 explains that the Indonesian Hajj visa consists of an Indonesian quota hajj visa and an invitation from the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. "For Hajj, by regulation, we only know two types of visas, namely hajj quota visas and mujamalah visas," said Hilman. This year, 221,000 Indonesian hajj quota visas have been agreed upon. The quota consists of 203,320 regular hajj people, and 17,680 special hajj people. "They will depart on an Indonesian hajj quota visa. This visa is of course issued by Saudis based on the total quota of a country," he said. Regarding Visa Mujamalah, Hilman explained that it applies to invited recipients from the Government of Saudi Arabia. According to him, every year the Government of Saudi Arabia issues invitations for hajj mujamalah visas to a number of parties in various countries sending pilgrims, including Indonesian citizens who get them. This regulation, said Hilman, is also in line with Saudi Arabia's provisions. Local authorities stipulate that the services for organizing the pilgrimage are only available to Hajj visa holders, Saudi citizens (KTP), and expatriates living in Saudi (Iqama card). While other visa holders are prohibited from worshiping Hajj, for example Saudi visit visas, tourist visas, commercial visit visas, family visit visas, private visit visas, transit visas, multiple visas, single visit visas, arrival visas, Umrah visas, and temporary visas.