HIBAPRESS
Saudi media sources revealed that the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has made amendments to the Umrah visa system, including canceling the visa if the pilgrim does not enter Saudi Arabia within 30 days of the date of issue.
The same sources explained that this decision will be implemented starting next week, as the visa validity period has been reduced from three months to one month from the date of issue, while the residency period after arrival in the Kingdom remains unchanged, which is 3 months. In addition, advisor to the National Committee for Umrah and Visit Ahmed Baghaifir described the decision as part of the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah's preparations to face the expected increase in the number of pilgrims after the end of the summer season and the decrease in temperatures in Mecca and Medina, to avoid overcrowding of large numbers of pilgrims in the two holy cities. Saudi media reports showed that the issuance of Umrah visas for pilgrims from abroad since the beginning of the season last June has exceeded 4 million visas, achieving a record in just five months compared to previous seasons.
