How to Secure Your Umrah Visa from Pakistan

Introduction

Every year, millions of Muslims around the world practice their religious duty of performing Hajj, the sacred pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia. As one of the Five Pillars of Islam, Muslims are expected to perform Hajj at least once in their lifetime.

Muslims believe that completing Hajj allows them to seek forgiveness and purify themselves of sin. If it is accepted by Allah, they will be spiritually renewed as if they have been reborn.

In 2023, Saudi Arabia opened over 179,000 slots for pilgrims coming from Pakistan. For first-timers, what’s the process to obtain an Umrah visa from Pakistan? What are the options available to them? Read on to learn more.

Option 1: E-visa

The simplest and easiest way travelers can obtain a Saudi visa for Umrah is to obtain a Saudi electronic visa/e-visa or a Saudi visa on arrival. The great thing about it is that the Saudi e-visa allows visitors to perform a variety of purposes, from tourism, business, seeking medical treatment, and visiting family and friends, to performing Umrah (just not during Hajj season).

Saudi authorities have made certain nationalities eligible for a Saudi e-visa. Although Pakistan is not among the eligible countries, other conditions allow a Pakistani citizen or resident to apply for a Saudi e-visa. Read more in the following section.

Eligibility

As mentioned, certain nationalities and visa holders are among those eligible to apply for a Saudi e-visa or a visa on arrival. What is this process like and what are the steps involved? How can Pakistani citizens or residents apply for an Umrah e-visa or visa on arrival?

The following can apply for an e-visa, provided they are:

1. Citizens of the following countries:

North America: Canada, Panama, USA, Saint Kitts, and Nevis

Europe: Andorra, Albania, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Holland, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, United Kingdom,

Asia: Brunei, China (Including Hong Kong And Macau), Japan, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, Maldives, Tajikistan, Turkey, Thailand, Uzbekistan

Africa: South Africa, Mauritius, Seychelles

Oceania: Australia, New Zealand

2. Permanent residents in the USA, EU, or the UK

3. Holders of visit visas (Schengen, US, UK)

4. Residents in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates)

Note that dual citizenships from the mentioned countries also make you eligible for a Saudi e-visa or visa on arrival. This means that Pakistani citizens and residents who have eligible dual citizenship or have an active US, UK, or Schengen visit visa that has been used at least once may apply for a Saudi e-visa to perform Umrah.

Application

If you are an eligible dual citizen or a US, UK, or Schengen visa holder, all you need to do is visit KSA Visa, Saudi Arabia’s easy-to-use portal, sign up for an account, provide your visa information as well as your personal and passport information, pay for the insurance and visa application fees, and just wait for the e-visa to be e-mailed.

Requirements

To apply for a Saudi e-visa, you will need the following:

• Passport with at least 6 months validity
• Digital passport photo with a white background (in JPG, JPEG, PNG, GIF, or BMP file formats; not bigger than 100 KB; and 200×200 pixels in dimension)
• Accomplished application form
• Health insurance

Note that for certain Saudi visas, you may need to have an invitation letter from a sponsor in Saudi Arabia, such as a Saudi resident or a local company.

Validity

The Saudi business e-visa is valid for a total stay duration of 90 days. You may apply for either a single-entry visa (valid for 90 days) or a multiple-entry visa (valid for one year).
Note that once you are granted a Saudi e-visa, it cannot be extended.

Visa fees

The cost of the Saudi e-visa will vary depending on the purpose of the travel, but for tourism purposes, the Saudi tourist e-visa costs SAR 535 (USD 142.64). As mentioned, the fee already includes the fee for the medical insurance selected during the e-visa application process. The payment must be made in Saudi Riyals with an international debit or credit card.

Note that the visa fees are non-refundable in case the e-visa is rejected.

Processing time

Now that you’ve completed your online visa application form, it’s time to wait. The processing time can take anywhere between 1 minute to 3 business days. You’ll know if your visa has been approved once you receive an e-mail from KSA Visa.

Option 2: Visa on arrival

The next easy and convenient option is the visa on arrival, a type of visa that is issued upon a foreign national’s entry into a country. Note that although it is a quick and easy way to get a Saudi visa, it might be more practical to apply for a Saudi e-visa instead ahead of time to avoid any surprises at the airport.
With the visa on arrival, travelers don’t need to apply for the visa beforehand. A visa on arrival is typically issued at the airport after the traveler submits certain documents as indicated by immigration authorities.

Eligibility

The same conditions as for the Saudi e-visa apply to the eligibility for a Saudi visa on arrival: citizens of the identified eligible countries; permanent US, UK, and EU residents; holders of active US, UK, or Schengen visit visas with at least one entry stamp; and GCC nationals and residents.

Application

You can apply for a Saudi visa on arrival in two ways: using a self-service kiosk or heading to a passport control desk.

For the self-service option, you should go to the passport control area once you arrive at one of Saudi Arabia’s international airports. There, approach any of the available self-service kiosks, where you’ll scan your passport, enter your personal and passport information, and indicate details of your accommodation while in Saudi Arabia, before scanning your fingerprints for biometrics and taking your photo.

The final steps include selecting your medical insurance provider in Saudi Arabia and paying for the visa-on-arrival fees.

Alternatively, you can go through an immigration officer at passport control, go through the same process, provide the same information, and pay the corresponding fees to receive a Saudi visa on arrival.

Requirements

If you’re eligible for a Saudi visa on arrival, you’ll just need the following:

• If you are a holder of an active US, UK, or Schengen visa, you should have at least one entry stamp in your passport using the visa).
• A passport has a validity period of at least 6 months at the time of the trip

Visa fees

The total visa application fee amounts to SAR 480 ($127.98), which already includes the cost of health insurance and taxes. Note that visa fees are non-refundable.

Validity

The Saudi visa on arrival is valid for 1 year from its issuance date. The multiple-entry visa on arrival is valid for 1 year from the date of issuance. It allows the traveler to stay for a maximum of 90 days. The single-entry visa on arrival, meanwhile, is valid for 3 months from its date of issuance, and travelers can stay for up to 30 days.

Processing time

Once you’ve gone through the application process, and assuming there are no issues with your information, it only takes between 5 to 30 minutes for your Saudi on-arrival visa to be issued.

Option 3: Transit/Stopover Visa

The e-visa and the visa on arrival are both great options whenever you’re planning a trip to Saudi Arabia. But there’s another way you can easily enter Saudi Arabia: the Saudi transit or stopover visa, which is open to all nationalities. This means that even if you don’t have an active US, UK, or Schengen visa, you may apply for a Saudi transit/stopover visa.

Transit and stopover are two terms used interchangeably to refer to temporary entry in Saudi Arabia for a few hours to a few days as part of a layover, or when passing through Saudi Arabia via land or sea. It allows travelers to pass through Saudi land borders, airports, or ports for no more than 96 hours. While in the country, they can also perform Umrah.

In case you are traveling somewhere while you have a valid UK visa, and you have a layover or stopover in Saudi Arabia that is over 12 hours, you can use the Saudi transit/stopover visa for a brief stay in the country.

Note that a transit visa is only required if your layover or stopover in Saudi Arabia is over 12 hours.

Transit/stopover visa with Flynas or Saudia

If your stopover in Saudi Arabia allows you to stay for more than 12 hours and you are flying via Flynas or Saudia, you’re in luck. You are eligible for a free Saudi transit or stopover visa which allows you a brief stay in Saudi Arabia for a maximum of 96 hours.

When you book with these two airlines, your transit/stopover visa will be automatically generated and e-mailed to you once approved. It takes about just three minutes to apply for the transit/stopover visa. You may apply for the visa up to 90 days before your trip.

Note that while the transit/stopover visa is free, it is still subject to administrative and medical insurance fees. You may also perform Umrah under this visa, but not for Hajj.

Travelers who avail of a transit/stopover visa via Saudia also have the option to avail of a free one-night accommodation, subject to room availability.

Standard transit visa

If you are passing through Saudi Arabia on an airline other than Saudi Arabia’s Flynas or Saudia and your layover/stopover is more than 12 hours, you can avail of a standard transit visa.

To apply for this visa, visit KSA Visa and select the applicable transit visa (Land Transit Visa, Air Transit Visa, or Sea Transit Visa).

Similar to the e-visa application, you’ll be asked to provide information such as your personal information, passport information, etc. before being asked to pay the medical insurance fee, visa fee, and application fees.

Requirements

To apply for a Saudi transit/stopover visa, you will need the following:

• Passport with at least six months validity remaining
• Passport-size photo with a white background. The file must not exceed 20kb in size and should be in either JPEG or PNG file formats. The image dimensions allowed are 200×200 pixels.
• Health insurance

Visa fees

While you can avail of a free transit/stopover visa via Saudia or Flynas, it is still subject to administrative and medical insurance fees. It costs SAR 93.73 ($24.99) via Saudia or Flynas and around SAR 100 ($26.66) for a standard/transit visa (inclusive of tax and insurance fees). Note that these fees are non-refundable.

Processing time

Once you’ve paid for your visa on arrival, it’s time to wait. It takes about 5 to 10 minutes for the visa on arrival to be issued.

Option 4: Via VFS Tasheer or the Saudi embassy/consulate

If you are ineligible for an e-visa, a visa on arrival, or a transit/stopover visa, you might be eligible to apply for a Saudi visa by applying through the nearest Saudi embassy or consulate. Note that many Saudi embassies or consulates may no longer accept visa applications and will refer you instead to a VFS (Visa Facilitation Services) Tasheer or the KSA Visa platform.

For a list of VFS Tasheer centers in Pakistan, click here. The Saudi Arabia embassy in Pakistan, meanwhile, is located at No. 14, North Service Road, Diplomatic Enclave,G-4, Islamabad, with contact number 0092512600900 and e-mail address: pkemb@mofa.gov.sa.

Eligibility

People of all nationalities are welcome to apply for a Saudi visa via a VFS Tasheer or Saudi embassy/consulate.

Application

To book a Saudi visa via a VFS Tasheer, you’ll need to book an appointment at https://vc.tasheer.com/appointment. Select your nationality and the visa you are applying for. On the day of your appointment, submit your supporting documents, get your fingerprints scanned and your photo taken, before paying the visa fees.

Similar to the VFS, you will need to schedule an appointment at a Saudi embassy/consulate to submit your supporting documents, your fingerprints to be scanned, and your photo taken, before paying the visa fees.

Requirements

When applying for a Saudi visa through a Saudi embassy or consulate, the requirements will vary depending on the specific purpose of your visit. But in general, you will need to prepare the following:

• Clear photocopy of your passport (with at least 6 months’ worth of validity remaining)
• 2 copies of a passport-sized photo
• Birth and/or marriage certificate of the applicant

Visa fees

Note that the fees will vary per VFS location and also depending on the type of visa you are applying for. Some VFS Tasheer may only accept cash, while others may also accept international debit or credit cards.

Validity

It will depend on the type of Saudi visa you are applying for, although generally, Saudi visit visas have a total stay duration of 90 days, whether for a single-entry visa (valid for 90 days) or a multiple-entry visa (valid for 365 days).

Processing time

Depending on your location and the volume of VFS customers, it may take a few business days to a few weeks for your visa application to be processed. Note that the processing time may be longer if the VFS Tasheer asks you for additional supporting documents or information.

For the embassy/consulate, meanwhile, it typically takes 1 to 2 business days.

Frequently Asked Questions

Now that we know the different visa options available to Pakistani citizens and residents to perform Umrah, let’s go through other frequently asked questions about Umrah.

Can I perform Umrah during Ramadan with an Umrah visa?

Yes, Umrah can be performed during Ramadan with a valid Umrah visa. However, the influx of pilgrims during Ramadan may affect the availability of accommodation and transportation.

Are there any restrictions on Umrah visa holders?

Umrah visa holders must abide by the rules and regulations set by the Saudi authorities. Violations may result in penalties or deportation.

Can you do Umrah in one day?

While it is technically possible to complete the rituals of Umrah within a single day, it is not the traditional or recommended way of performing Umrah. The customary practice involves spending a few days in the holy city of Mecca to perform Umrah with tranquility, devotion, and reflection.

However, circumstances may arise where individuals have limited time due to travel constraints or other commitments. In such cases, performing Umrah in one day is permissible.

It is advisable to allocate more time if possible to fully immerse oneself in the spiritual experience and take advantage of the blessings and opportunities for worship in the holy city of Mecca.

Can I perform Umrah alone?

Yes, it is entirely permissible to perform Umrah alone, without the need for a companion or group. Performing Umrah is an individual act of worship, and both men and women can undertake the pilgrimage independently.

Conclusion

It is the sacred obligation of every Muslim to perform the Umrah and Hajj pilgrimages. Physically and financially capable Muslims are expected to go on Umrah at least once in their lifetime, as it is one of the Five Pillars of Islam.

Several visa options are available to pilgrims from Pakistan, depending on their eligibility. If they have eligible dual citizenship or an active US, UK, or Schengen visit visa, then they may apply for a Saudi e-visa or visa on arrival, both of which permit the performance of Umrah.

As an alternative, ineligible citizens and residents from Pakistan may wish to apply for a Saudi transit/stopover visa or a non-electronic Saudi visa with which they can do Umrah via VFS Tasheer centers or the nearest Saudi embassy/consulate.

For more information on applying for an Umrah visa, visit KSA Visa or the Nusuk Hajj website.

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