Umrah: Saudi Arabia rolls out new visa options for pilgrims from GCC countries

Saudi Arabia has rolled out new visa options for those who wish to perform Umrah, the holy Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca. The latest guidelines would make visa application easier for the citizens of the countries that are members of the Gulf Cooperation Council. Besides the conventional Umrah visa, citizens of GCC nations can travel inside the country using transit and tourist visas. The new guidelines have been launched as part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 project.

Visitors can stay in the country for up to 96 hours using the recently launched transit visa. As the believers could perform Umrah during the stopover, it is particularly beneficial for air travellers who are in Saudi Arabia for layovers. The citizens of GCC countries can perform Umrah easily and at a reasonable cost when they book tickets through Saudi Arabia-based airlines.
Besides the transit visa, citizens of GCC countries can also apply for tourist visas. They could visit the countless historical and cultural spots in the country as well while performing Umrah. This visa can be applied for via official Saudi Arabian websites and platforms.

Here is how to apply for the transit visa
The first step is to book the air tickets. Passengers can apply for a transit visa if they book tickets on a Saudi carrier. Online visa applications could be submitted on the airline portal. After the application is accepted, passengers will be issued an electric visa, which allows them to stay in the country for up to four days. The pilgrims can then fly to Saudi Arabia and visit holy places like Mecca and Medina.
Meanwhile, those who arrive on Umrah visa should leave the country before April 29, without considering the three-month limit. Such rules are introduced every year ahead of the annual Umrah pilgrimage. The Umrah visas are noted in the guideline that the visa holders are allowed to remain in the country until April 29.