Hajj and Umrah visa restrictions for Travelling to the Kingdom of Saudi Arab
The two holy pilgrimages that every Muslim wants to do are Hajj and Umrah. To do this, you have to go to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Pilgrims must, of course, fill out an application and get a visa. Keep in mind that the Saudi government gives out different kinds of visas for tourism and for Hajj and Umrah. If you have booked your Hajj or Umrah Package, you must have the knowledge about the Eminent parts during Hajj and Umrah. The one for pilgrimages says what its purpose is, and the other one does the same. But in the first week of January 2018, Saudi officials said that people coming to the country for Hajj or Umrah can also get a tourist visa. The visa can be extended depending on how much time is given for doing Hajj or Umrah. One month is the most time given for tourism. Both the pilgrims and their home countries liked the decision and said it was a nice gesture that would make things easier for the pilgrims. With this visa, pilgrims can visit both historic sites and places that are well-known in the country.
This information can be thought of as more gen. But if we talk about the rules for getting a Hajj or Umrah visa to go to the Saudi Kingdom, then some of the rules are;
The Saudi government says that pilgrims with visas for Umrah (a smaller pilgrimage) should only enter or leave the country through the two airports in Makkah and Jeddah. One is in Jeddah and is called King Abdul Aziz International Airport (KAIA). The other is in Madinah and is called Prince Muhammad bin Abdul Aziz Airport. Umrah visa holders must have a real, valid plane ticket that is booked for a round-trip to and from Umrah and back.
According to Saudi government rules, pilgrims going to Saudi Kingdom to take part in the holy Hajj ritual should enter or leave from the Hajj terminal and not the SV terminal, which is used for other things. Also, people with an Umrah visa can’t go on the Hajj because the visa is only for the Umrah and not for the Hajj.
Umrah visa holders can only do Umrah on their visa. If you the Umrah visa then don’t waste the time Start Planning to perform Umrah and you should have perform the Umrah with spiritual devotion and peace of mind. They can’t save it for later use, like for Hajj, or use it for something else.
During the official Hajj time, Muslim travellers with business visas or visiting visas are not allowed to enter or arrive at either the Jeddah or Madina airports. The decision is based on how many people will be there. As these two airports (KAIA and Prince Muhammad bin Abdul Aziz Airport) are the only ones in the whole Kingdom where pilgrims can arrive and leave, it gets very busy during the Hajj. If people with business and visiting visas are also allowed to enter or leave from these two airports, the overcrowded airports will become a hassle for everyone, including travellers and the government. People with business or visitor visas should leave from RUH or DMM airports.
But if we look at the entry of non-Muslims, it is a relief for them because they can enter the Kingdom through any airport during the Hajj as long as they have business or visitor visas.
After the last date of entry set by the Ministry of Hajj, pilgrims with a Hajj visa will not be able to enter the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. So, pilgrims going to Hajj should get in before the deadline.
Muslims who are going to Saudi Kingdom to do Hajj need to make sure they get the right visa so they can fly on these flights. If you don’t have the right paperwork when you arrive, you should be stopped right there and won’t be able to go anywhere else. Also, there will be no offer of a refund. So it will be in your best interest to give your passport information when you book so that you don’t have to deal with any trouble later.