Saudi Arabia Umrah Visa for Indian Citizens – Umrah Visa from India

Are you an Indian passport holder who wishes to perform Umrah? You have come to the right place. In this extensive guide, we will discuss everything you need to know about applying for an Umrah visa from India. 

What Is Umrah?

Millions of Muslims worldwide travel annually to Makkah in Saudi Arabia to perform Umrah, the voluntary act of devotion, love, and gratitude to Allah SWT. Umrah is a non-obligatory, Islamic pilgrimage to the Holy Kaaba in Makkah, Saudi Arabia.

Umrah visas for Indian citizens

According to the Islamic guidelines, all financially and physically able Muslims may perform Umrah to follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), seek forgiveness, gain the blessings of Allah SWT, and purify their souls.

However, unlike Hajj, you can perform Umrah at any time of the year. The rituals of Umrah involve performing Tawaf (circumambulating) around the Holy Kaaba and Sae (running between the hills of Safa and Marwa). 

Why Do I Need a Visa to Go to Saudi Arabia to Perform Umrah?

To perform Umrah, all foreign Muslims must apply for a visa that is issued by the Saudi Government. To obtain the visa, a traveller must apply through a licensed travel agent and provide proof of their Muslim identity, such as a birth certificate or passport.

Even though it is possible to perform the Lesser Pilgrimage with a tourist visa, you must apply for an Umrah visa in most cases. After completing the pilgrimage, you can use the remaining days to explore the holy cities of Makkah, Madina, and Jeddah. 

Do I Need a Visa If I’m from India?

Yes, if you are an Indian citizen, you will most definitely need a visa to travel to Saudi Arabia for tourism and to perform the Lesser Pilgrimage (Umrah).

However, unlike other visa application processes, the visit visa or Umrah or Hajj visa application for Indian passport holders isn’t so straightforward. This is primarily because Saudi Arabia has very different eligibility criteria for travellers of all nationalities. 

Is Umrah Visa Open Now, 2023?

Yes. Visa Umrah applications are open for 2023. There are currently no restrictions on entering the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for Umrah seekers, provided they have a valid tourist or pilgrim visa. 

Umrah Visa Price from India

While the Umrah visa itself is free of cost, Indian Muslims are required to pay a service-related fee that is somewhere between 16,520 INR to 24,780 INR (£161 – 241).

That said, the Umrah visa fee can vary depending on the authorized tour operator or agency and the type of visa that you apply for. Thus, to avoid any discrepancies, confirming the visa fee from the agency before submitting your application is advised. 

Is Umrah Visa-Free for Indians?

No, Indian Muslims must have an approved Saudi Arabian visa to enter the country to perform Umrah. 

Apply for an Online Umrah Visa from India

The Saudi government has recently launched the Maqam platform, an electronic service for pilgrims to obtain their Umrah visa within 24 hours. The Maqam platform can be used by Umrah seekers from all countries.

Umrah Visa for Indian nationals

However, Indian nationals cannot directly apply for Saudi eVisa online. This means that you will have to consult with a trusted and approved travel agency and the Embassy of Saudi Arabia for the approval of your visa. 

Umrah Application Process

Follow our step-by-step guide to applying for an Umrah visa online:

  • Step 01: Click here to visit the Maqam portal and select any one of the approved Umrah companies. 
  • Step 02: Create an Umrah package according to your convenience. You will have the option to choose transportation, accommodation, and grounding services depending on the company of your choice. 
  • Step 03: Submit your application. Once the submission process is complete, you will receive a reference number for your Umrah application.
  • Step 04: The website will automatically direct you to the portal of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs so that you can complete the visa issuance process.

Umrah Visa Application Form

An Umrah visa application form will ask you for general personal information such as your name, address, working email address, phone number, nationality, and the number of travellers.

Once you have added the details and purpose of your trip, you must provide the following documents along with your Umrah visa application to ensure a hassle-free process: 

  • Valid passport.
  • 2 passport-size photographs. 
  • Copy of a non-refundable return flight. 
  • Proof of sufficient finances (bank statement).
  • Proof of accommodation in Saudi Arabia. 
  • Travel insurance.
  • Proof of employment (letter from employer or pay slips). 

Mofa Umrah Visa

If you have a family member who is a Saudi Arabian resident, you can request them to apply on the online portal for you. However, the visa application must be approved by the Chamber of Commerce in KSA for your visa to be granted. 

Remember that Indian nationals cannot directly apply for a Saudi visa via the Embassy of Saudi Arabia. Instead, their application must be submitted through a registered travel agent.

Who Needs a Visa?

Except for citizens of Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, and Oman, all foreign pilgrims – including Indian Muslims – are required to apply for an Umrah visa.

Travel Visa passport for Indians

However, according to an announcement by the Government of Saudi Arabia in April 2022, any person with a valid UK, USA, or Schengen visa can perform the Lesser Pilgrimage without needing to apply for a separate Umrah visa. 

How Long Will It Take to Process My Application?

Under normal circumstances, your Umrah visa application will usually take 5 to 10 days to finish processing.

However, applying as soon as possible is advised, as you will need some extra time to gather documents and make travel and accommodation arrangements. 

How Long Is the Visa Valid For?

Generally, the validity for a visit visa is between 30 to 90 days. Whereas for Indian citizens, the Umrah visa is valid for 2 weeks.

However, if you are performing Umrah in Ramadan, you must leave the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia by the last day of the sacred month. This condition applies in all circumstances, whether you have completed your two weeks of stay in Saudi Arabia or not.  

Can Indians Get a Saudi Visa on Arrival?

Fortunately, yes! Muslim Indians who don’t want to risk visa rejection and are visa holders or permanent residents of the United Kingdom, United States, or Europe (Schengen) can easily get a tourist visa on arrival at the north terminal of the Jeddah airport. 

Egypt Air passengers usually use this terminal, and they will stamp the visa on your Indian passport. On the other hand, if you arrive at the new airport (King Abdulaziz International Airport), you have the chance to stamp the visa yourself before passing immigration.

Note that compared to the charges of an online visa, the upon-arrival visa costs around £105 (480 Riyals).

Travel Requirements

Here is a list of things that you will need in order to apply for the Umrah visa and while travelling to Makkah, Saudi Arabia:

  • Valid passport – it must have a 6-month validity period.
  • 4 recent passport-size photos – make sure that it has a white background. 
  • A copy of an approved Umrah visa application form. 
  • Purchased non-refundable return flight tickets.
  • Health insurance covering COVID-19.
  • Proof of meningitis vaccination – must be applied at least 10 days before travelling and should not be older than 3 years. 
  • Evidence of the relationship of the female pilgrims with their Mahrams (husband, brother, or father). Suppose a woman is older than 45 years. In that case, she is permitted to perform Umrah without a Mahram only if she travels with family or an organized group. She will need to submit a No Objection Certificate from her Mahram.
  • You must also carry Ihram and some modest clothes, money, Tabeeh beads, Holy Quran, a prayer mat, and self-care items like medication, sunscreen, and toiletries.

Apply Online Via Approved Travel Agencies

Travel agency booked flights and visa for muslim pilgrim

Step 01: Search for a licensed travel agency in your city or country and discuss your plan. The travel agent will not only help in preparing your application but also in planning your trip. They will show you different Umrah packages according to your budget. Each Umrah package will include transportation and accommodation. 

Step 02: Gather and submit all essential documents and recent photos to the travel agency. They will scan each document and will update them eon the portal. The travel agent will also keep you updated on your application process. 

Step 03: Once your Umrah visa is approved, create an account on both the Umrah apps:

  • Tawakkalna App: Contains all information about your vaccination records. This app only work once you enter Saudi Arabia and will help you in getting clearance at hotels, mosques, and restaurants. 
  • Nusk/Eatmarna App: You can use this application to get prater permits. The Nusk/Eatmarna app can also be linked to the Tawakkalna app. 

Summary – Umrah Visa from India

Umrah is a non-obligatory pilgrimage that Muslims can perform at any time throughout the year, except for the days of Hajj. In order to perform the Minor Pilgrimage, Muslims must travel to the Holy Kaaba in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. All foreign travellers, including Indian passport holders, require an Umrah visa.

We hope our guide helped you apply for an Umrah visa from India. If you get your visa approved, use this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to ask for forgiveness from Allah SWT, seek repentance, and strengthen your faith. 

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