ISLAMABAD: Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiyyah announced during his recent visit to Pakistan, to extend the validity of Umrah visas from 30 to 90 days.
This decision aims to facilitate pilgrims from Pakistan and is in line with Saudi Arabia’s ambitious Vision-2030 to improve Hajj and Umrah services.
Visit of Dr. Al-Rabiyyah in Islamabad, which began on August 20, was marked by high-level meetings that culminated in a press conference in Karachi on Tuesday.
Among the highlights, the Saudi minister highlighted that the issuance of Umrah visas has been streamlined, with visas now processed within a remarkable 24 hours.
One of the most notable changes is that Umrah pilgrims from Pakistan are no longer limited to visiting Mecca and Medina.
Under the new policy, they can explore other cities across Saudi Arabia such as Riyadh and Dammam, improving the travel experience and boosting tourism in the Kingdom.
A revolutionary development is the relaxation of the requirement that women have a male guardian (mahram) upon entering the kingdom. This change marks a significant step towards gender equality in pilgrimage travel.
In addition, Saudi Arabia has introduced a transit visa that allows travelers to transit through the country and enjoy a four-day stay. In a generous move, Saudi Airlines in particular will offer travelers one night’s accommodation for free.
Dr. Al-Rabiyyah highlighted the historical and religious significance of the various sites in Mecca and Medina that will now be accessible to visitors. He revealed ongoing efforts to develop more than 100 historical sites, enriching the pilgrimage experience and preserving Saudi Arabia’s cultural heritage.
The Saudi government’s commitment to attracting more pilgrims is evident from these initiatives. During his visit to Pakistan, an agreement was signed to increase the number of flights between Saudi and Pakistani airlines. In addition, a new low-cost airline has been approved to provide cost-effective travel options.
