Saudi Arabia Visa: Saudi Arabia allegedly revised its travel rules and reduced the issuance of visa for citizens of 14 countries, including Bangladesh, Pakistan and India, but there is no official confirmation.
According to media reports, Saudi Arabia temporarily stopped issuing visa by Umrah to contain the overfilling of the hajj case. Mint could not verify these messages separately.
Before the bond of Hajj, which is of deep importance to Muslims, Livemint immerses into what the umrah of Visa is, which is eligible and how to ask for it from India.
What is a umrah visa?
Umrah Visa is a special travel permit issued by Saudi Arabia, which allows Muslims to enter the ground for Hajj in Mecca and Medina. Usually it is the only or multiple visa that is valid for a limited time, but cannot be used for other purposes such as work or tourism.
Who is eligible to ask for a umrah visa?
According to the official website of the Saudi visa, the capacity to the umrah visa is:
- To apply for a Visa of Saudi umrah, they must be at least 18 years of age, Muslim beliefs and meet a set of Saudi and Hajj visa requirements, detailed below.
- The new Saudi visa 2022 rules have been lax, now allow women aged 18 to 65 years to perform a male guardian on condition that they are part of the group and have the permission of their husband or father known as Mahram.
- Children under the age of 18 must apply for a visa with a parent with a parent or a legal representative.
How many India can go for Hajj this year?
According to the agreement between India and Saudi Arabia, a total of 1,75,025 pilgrims from India in 2025 can go to Hajj.
A total of 1 40,020 chairs reserved for those traveling around the Indian Haj Committee are particularly beneficial for the first pilgrims, while 35,005 chairs are designed for the Haj Group operators.
The HAJ 2025 contract was signed by both countries in January 2025.
Also read | Saudi Arabia arrests over 18,000 illegal
How to ask for a umrah visa from India?
To obtain a Umrah visa from India, the candidate must register via a licensed travel agency licensed by the Ministry of Hajj and accredited by the Embassy. The required documents include:
- A valid passport and request
- Health and vaccination certificate
- Personal photo
Umrah visa has set out from 1. Safar, the second month in the Islamic calendar. The last day to apply is at the end of Shaaban, the eighth month.
The visa is free and expires at the end of the Umrah program
When is Hajj?
This year, Hajj is expected to take place between June 4 to June 9, 2025 in the Gregorian calendar, depending on the observation of the Moon.
The Islamic calendar works on a lunar cycle, and therefore it seems that it moves forward for about 11-12 days every year because it corresponds to the Gregorian calendar.
In fact, Hajj takes place every year between the same data, ie between the 8th and 12th or 13th. Dhul Hijjah every year, depending on the observation of the moon
Also read | Hajj death: 83% of deceased pilgrims were unauthorized, went on long distances
How long will Hajj last?
The hajj pilgrimage is performed for five to six days, from 8 to 12 or 13. Dhul Hijjah. When the new crescent month is seen, Eid al-Ade begins, which lasts four days.
The pilgrimage consists of a number of ceremonies and rituals, some of which must be done in order and physically demanding
As Muslims who perform Hajj in Islam – is a spiritual duty if we are financially, physically and emotionally able to do so.
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