Over four million Umrah visas have been issued by authorities in Saudi Arabia in the past five months, according to the country’s Ministry of Hajj figures.
According to local media reports, these kinds of visas have been issued for pilgrims from countries worldwide since the beginning of the Umrah season of 2022, VisaGuide.World reports.
The announcement of the Ministry also notes that there has been noted a significant increase in the number of pilgrims performing Umrah from South Asia’s Kashmir valley.
Due to the spread of the Coronavirus and its new variants, Umrah from the Valley was temporarily suspended in March 2020. At the same time, authorities in Saudi Arabia permitted licensed and accredited tour operators from a total of six countries, taking also into account Indonesia, India, Egypt, and Pakistan to issue Umrah visas.
According to authorities in Saudi Arabia, the country resumed issuing Umrah visas to Kashmir in February this year.
Each year, the Nusuk platform as well as the Ministry’s website permits pilgrims from countries worldwide to submit a visa application in order to visit this country and perform the Umrah.
In addition, recently it has been confirmed that the country has extended the validity of such visas from 30 days to a total of 90 days, while pilgrims are now permitted to enter the Kingdom through any of its seaports, airports as well as land crossings, according to the Kashmir Monitor report.
In August this year, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah announced through a statement that it decided to allow all types of visa holders from other countries to come to Saudi Arabia for tourism purposes and also perform Umrah while remaining in the Kingdom.
In order to facilitate the travel process for all foreign citizens, authorities in Saudi Arabia, back in June announced that they introduced a new electronic visa application dedicated to all pilgrims planning to enter the Kingdom and perform the Umrah also known as the Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca.
The decision back then was confirmed by the country’s Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Tawfiq Al Rabiah, in a press conference.
“The safety of pilgrims is our priority, and we are eager to offer the finest services,” Al Rabiah stressed while confirming the decision to allow one million foreign citizens to come to Saudi Arabia and do Hajj this year.
Earlier this year, authorities in this country also announced that they decided to abolish all COVID-related restrictions in order to make the travel process easier for all those who plan to visit Saudi Arabia.
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