Saudi Umrah Visa from Dubai

Introduction

Millions of Muslims all over the world perform Umrah yearly, and it’s now easier for more nationalities, permanent residents, and visa holders to obtain an Umrah visa. What about the citizens and residents of the United Arab Emirates (UAE)? What are the requirements? What’s the process to obtain a Saudi Umrah visa from Dubai? What are they eligible for? In this article, we share how UAE citizens and residents can apply for an Saudi Umrah visa from Dubai. Read on to learn more.

Eligibility

If you’re a citizen of one of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, you’re exempted from a Saudi visa and you can travel to Saudi Arabia anytime you wish. The member countries of the GCC include (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE).

What do you need to prepare ahead of your trip to Saudi Arabia? When you arrive in Saudi Arabia, simply present your national ID card or any other valid document proving your citizenship in the UAE.

Getting a Saudi Umrah visa from Dubai 

While UAE citizens are exempt from the Saudi visa application process as the UAE is part of the GCC, UAE residents, on the other hand, must still secure a Saudi visa.

Fortunately, UAE residents are eligible for a Saudi e-visa and visa on arrival. Read on to learn more about these visa options and other alternatives.

Option 1: Saudi e-visa

The Saudi e-visa program, launched in September 2019, makes it easier for citizens from eligible countries to secure a Saudi visa. It allows foreign nationals entry into Saudi Arabia for various purposes such as tourism, business, and even Umrah.

Apart from eligible nationalities (including dual citizens from eligible countries), permanent residents in the US, EU, or the UK; holders of visit visas (Schengen, US, UK); and residents in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates), as long as they have been a resident for at least three months.

What’s great about the e-visa is that it already covers tourism-related activities and Umrah (excluding Hajj season).

How the Saudi e-visa works

Now that we know who is eligible for a Saudi e-visa, let’s understand how it works.

Under the new e-visa system, eligible travelers arriving in Saudi Arabia don’t need a visa sticker stamped on their passports. Instead, these are replaced by a printed e-visa featuring a QR code. This QR code will contain all the essential data and information about the passenger, effectively functioning as a digital visa. The e-visa can be accessed online and will be instantly delivered via email.

Requirements

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

• Passport with at least 6 months validity
• A completed visa application form
• Passport-sized photos (in JPG, JPEG, PNG, GIF, or BMP file formats; not bigger than 100 KB; and 200×200 pixels in dimension)
• Travel Insurance

Application for a Saudi Umrah visa from Dubai

To apply for a Saudi e-visa, visit KSA Visa, Saudi Arabia’s unified platform for visa applications, and select the e-visa of your choice, and fill out the online application form.

Apart from indicating whether you would like to apply for a single or multiple-entry visa, you’ll also need to provide your personal information and passport details, as well as upload a digital passport-size photo with a white background.

Based on your submitted application, the form will generate the corresponding visa validity: 365 days or 1 year for a multiple-entry visa and 90 days for a single-entry visa. Both single and multiple-entry visas are valid for a total of 90 days.

Visa fees

The visa application fee includes $80 for the visa fee (refundable), $10.50 for the visa digital service fee (non-refundable), $10.50 for the insurance digital service fee (non-refundable), and the insurance fees.

Note that the insurance fee will vary depending on your chosen medical insurance provider). You can pay via international debit or credit card.

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 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 ahead of time to avoid any surprises at the airport.

Similar to the e-visa, those who hold eligible citizenship (including dual citizens); have active US, UK, or Schengen visit visas; are permanent residents of the US, UK, or the EU; as well as GCC nationals or residents can avail of a Saudi visa on arrival.

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.

Option 3: Transit/Stopover Visa

There’s another way you can easily enter Saudi Arabia: the Saudi transit or stopover visa, which is open to all nationalities. It allows travelers to pass through Saudi land borders, airports, or ports. This is probably not the most ideal option for all, but it’s a good option if you are staying for less than four days in Saudi Arabia.

Travelers may opt to apply for a transit/stopover visa via Saudi Arabia’s Saudia or Flynas airlines by booking two flights with a suitable layover of between 12 to 96 hours. While the transit/stopover visa is free, it is still subject to administrative and medical insurance fees. Alternatively, travelers may apply for a standard transit/stopover visa via KSA Visa.

Frequently Asked Questions

Although we’ve covered your options for obtaining an Umrah visa from Dubai, you may still have some questions and clarifications about it and traveling to Saudi Arabia in general. The following are some helpful answers to frequently asked questions:

What are the mandatory immunizations for Umrah pilgrims?

Umrah pilgrims must secure immunization for the following if they are traveling to Saudi Arabia for Umrah:

• COVID-19
• Neisseria meningitis
• Tetravalent meningitis (at least 10 days before visiting Hajj areas)
• Seasonal influenza (a dose of the Southern seasonal influenza vaccine)

What information is required for a pilgrim to register in Nusuk?

Provide the following information if you are registering on Nusuk:

• Passport number
• Visa number
• Date of birth
• Nationality
• Mobile number
• E-mail address

I can’t see my Umrah permit in the application after it was issued. What do I do?

If your permit doesn’t appear after issuance, just drag the screen down to refresh the page and it should be displayed.

Can I change my name on Nusuk?

Yes, you can change your name on Nusuk. You’ll need to delete your existing Nusuk account and register as a new user with the proper name. It should be updated instantly, otherwise, get in touch with the Enaya Center for Services for the Guests of God at the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah by calling 92000281.

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.

Can I apply for an Umrah visa myself?

Yes, you can apply for an Umrah visa yourself, assuming you are eligible for a Saudi e-visa, which allows you to perform Umrah.

What does the word “Umrah” mean?

In Arabic, “Umrah” translates to “visiting a populated place.”

Can non-Muslims travel to Mecca and Medina?

No, non-Muslims are forbidden from visiting Mecca and certain parts of Medina considered sacred, such as the Prophet’s Mosque (Al-Masjid an-Nabawi).

Additionally, there may be restrictions on non-Muslims entering other religious sites or areas of significance within Medina. While the exact boundaries of these restrictions can vary, it’s common for non-Muslims to be prohibited from entering mosques and certain religious landmarks.

These restrictions are in place out of respect for the sanctity of these sites and to maintain the religious atmosphere for worshippers. However, you must check with local authorities or tour guides for the most up-to-date information on specific access restrictions for non-Muslims in Medina.

Conclusion

Every year, millions of Muslims travel to Mecca in Saudi Arabia to perform Umrah or Hajj.

As Umrah and Hajj form one of the Five Pillars of Islam, it is the religious duty of every physically and financially capable Muslim to go on both pilgrimages at least once in their lifetime.

Applying for a Saudi Umrah visa from Dubai is fairly convenient for UAE citizens. UAE citizens, as GCC nationals, are exempt from needing to apply for a Saudi e-visa, which is the easiest way to gain entry into Saudi Arabia to perform Umrah. UAE residents, meanwhile, are eligible for a Saudi e-visa.

For more information on how to obtain a Saudi Umrah visa from Dubai, UAE, visit KSA Visa or the Hajj Nusuk website.