Umrah Visa for British Citizens: A Comprehensive Guide

Introduction

What’s the process like to attain a Saudi Umrah visa for British citizens? What are the visa requirements and what are British citizens eligible for?

If there’s one journey that an adult Muslim should be able to make in his life, it’s performing the Umrah and Hajj pilgrimages. For these pilgrimages, they will need to travel to Mecca, one of the most important religious sites of Islam in the world. As one of the Five Pillars of Islam, physically and financially capable Muslims are expected to go on the sacred journey to purify themselves of sin and seek the forgiveness of Allah.

In this article, we look into how one can British citizens can obtain an Umrah visa.

Eligibility

The simplest, most convenient, and easiest Saudi visa to apply for is the e-visa. It allows the traveler to preform a variety of activities, from tourism, attending business conferences or meetings, seeking medical treatment, visiting family and friends, to performing Umrah.

The good news is that British citizens are eligible for a Saudi e-visa and there are minimal requirements when applying for a Saudi e-visa. Being eligible for a Saudi e-visa also makes them eligible for a Saudi visa on arrival.

What are the e-visa and visa-on-arrival options and how easy is it for UK travelers to apply for these? What are the requirements? Let’s explore them in the next sections.

Option 1: Saudi e-visa

The Saudi e-visa program, launched in September 2019, makes it easier for citizens from eligible countries such as the US 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), are also eligible for a Saudi e-visa.

Application

Now that you know what an e-visa is, it’s time to go through the steps to apply for it.

All the UK visa holder needs to do is visit Saudi Arabia’s easy-to-use portal, KSA Visa, to sign up for an account, provide their UK visa information as well as their 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

Validity

The Saudi e-visa will be valid for one year from the date of issuance and it will be valid for multiple entries. You can stay for a total of 3 months or 90 days in Saudi Arabia, as long as your UK visa is still valid during your stay. 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. Note that 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.

What’s great about the Saudi e-visa is that it already covers tourism-related activities and Umrah (excluding Hajj season). This means that UK visa holders can apply for an e-visa in case they are planning to travel to Saudi Arabia for tourism, to visit family and friends, to seek medical treatment, or for business. The e-visa already covers these different travel purposes.

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. The same visa requirements for the e-visa apply to the visa on arrival.

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

You now know the different options UK citizens and UK permanent residents have to apply for a Saudi Umrah visa. But we’re sure you may still have other questions in mind about traveling to Saudi Arabia in general. The following are helpful advice on Saudi travel as relevant to the UK.

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

As the Umrah and Hajj pilgrimages are considered one of the Five Pillars of Islam, Muslims are expected to go on the sacred journey at least once in their lifetime.

British citizens, for one, are fortunate to be eligible for a Saudi e-visa or visa on arrival, the simplest, easiest, and most convenient way to enter Saudi Arabia to perform Umrah.

For more information on how to obtain a Saudi Umrah visa for British citizens, visit KSA Visa or the Nusuk Hajj websites.

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