RIYADH — Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has announced new amendments to the Umrah visa regulations, under which visas will now be automatically cancelled 30 days after issuance if the pilgrim has not entered the Kingdom within that period, Al Arabiya reported.
The new policy, which takes effect next week, reduces the visa validity before entry from three months to one month. However, there is no change to the permitted stay once pilgrims arrive in Saudi Arabia — they can still remain for up to three months.
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According to Ahmed Bajaeifer, adviser to the National Committee for Umrah and Visit, the change aims to better manage the growing influx of pilgrims expected after the end of summer and the drop in temperatures in Makkah and Madinah. The move is designed to prevent overcrowding and improve crowd management in the two holy cities.
The current Umrah season has seen record momentum, with more than four million visas issued to international pilgrims since June, marking one of the busiest starts in recent years.
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Last month, Saudi authorities also expanded Umrah eligibility to include holders of personal, family visit, tourist, transit, work, and other visa categories, aligning with Saudi Vision 2030 — an initiative aimed at facilitating easier access for Muslims worldwide to perform their religious duties in comfort and peace.