Performing Umrah has always been a dream for millions of Muslims. Umrah is a significant voluntary Islamic pilgrimage to the holy city of Makkah. This pilgrimage offers the pilgrims a profound spiritual journey for purification, forgiveness and closeness to the Allah Almighty. Umrah acts as a powerful act of worship that erases the sins between the pilgrimages and brings immense blessings, which will foster spiritual renewal, reflection and unity among the believers.
Millions of Muslims from all around the world head towards the holy city to perform Umrah and gain a close relationship with the Allah Almighty. A vast number of Muslims are residing in UKevery year a prominent number of Muslims travel from these countries to Saudi Arabia for performing the holy pilgrimage. It could be quite hectic to find the best deals on flights and accommodations and compare tons of options. This is where theIslamic Travel Agency UK brings convenience in their lives. They will curate the most affordable Umrah deals for you along with all the services that you want.
Over the course of several years, the government of Saudi Arabia has curated a list of different rules and regulation for the pilgrims to follow. These rules not only help the authorities to run the course of events smoothly during the pilgrimage, but also guarantee the safety of the pilgrims. Some of the rules that the system requires pilgrims to strictly comply are mentioned in the guide below.
1. Accommodation must be booked when applying for visa
Pilgrims are no longer allowed to postpone the hotel reservations for later. It is obligatory that the pilgrims must either select an approved hotel through the Masar system or confirm that they will stay with relatives in Saudi Arabia. The hotels and transportation are linked within the Saudi system known as Masar. Taxis are also supposed to be booked through the portal to ensure that only authorized services are used by the pilgrims.
2. Staying with the relatives requires Saudi ID
People who are planning to stay with the family or friends must provide the host’s unified Saudi ID number, which will be linked to their Umrah visa. In case of any postponed or change in the itinerary, you must enter the update into the system by using the same ID.
3. No tourist visas for Umrah
Umrah can no longer be performed using the tourist visa. The operators warn that those attempt to perform Umrah on the tourist visa will risk being stopped at any time and will even be denied access to Madinah’s Riyaz ul Jannah.
It is not that difficult nowadays to apply for the Umrah visa. One can either apply through the embassy or apply Umrah visa online. You must apply for the dedicated Umrah visa via the Nusuk platform either as an eVisa or by booking a package with the approved operators.
4. Stringent itinerary rules
When applying for a visa, you must upload your itinerary, which cannot be changed or postponed. Overstaying your visa duration will attract several penalties. The agents will have to pay fine and can face system blockage in case of extended stay.
5. Visa on arrival
The nationalities such as UK many Schengen areas can obtain a visa upon arrival. This condition is only valid if the individual has visited those countries at least once before and the visa validity is one year.
6. Airport check for bookings
Upon the arrival, officials confirm hotel and transportation reservations on Nusuk or Masar. Missed bookings can also result in fines or denied onward travel. The airport teams will review the lodging, transportation and return reservations. If any of these is missing, pilgrims may be stopped and agents will be fined on the spot.
7. Authorized taxis and transportation only
Pilgrims must use registered taxis or trains arranged through the Nusuk app, or book their transportation in advance. Pilgrims cannot just take any random car from the airport. Only authorized taxis, busses and trains are required. This rule is essential for the safety and security of the pilgrims.
Health Instructions for the pilgrims
In order to ensure the public safety, pilgrims should abide by the following health instructions.
- If a pilgrim comes from a country which has been hit by the epidemic, he must submit a vaccination certificate against such epidemic that aligns with the international health regulations.
- Pilgrims must produce a certificate evidencing vaccination against meningitis. This certificate should have been issued not less than ten days and not more than three years.
- Pilgrims are not allowed to bring in the food stuff except simple quantities that satisfy the needs of pilgrims travelling over land and only for the duration of the travel.
- In case a pilgrim catches an unexpected disease, God forbid, he must report to the Field Service Group or to a hospital or clinic, while carrying with him his personal identity card.
- Pilgrims must avoid walking in the Sun for great distance, particularly women and elderly people, in order to avoid exposure to the heat and not to suffer from the bodily harm.
The government and authorities of the kingdom of Saudi Arabia will impose severe fines on both pilgrims and agents who violate the rules. Any violation ranging from unauthorized taxis to overstaying results in fines beginning from Dh750.
