The Hajj is a pilgrimage that all Muslims must do. It is one of the five pillars of Islam. But it is only required if the believer can physically, financially, and mentally handle it. Hajj is a religious journey to the city of Makkah, where people gather to perform holy rituals from the 8th to the 12th of Dhu-al-Hijjah. Through their Hajj Packages 2023 UK, millions of pilgrims come every year to take part in it.
Saudia Arabia gives out visas for short trips
The kingdom of Saudi Arabia recently released a plan called "Saudi Vision 2030" to boost the economy through tourism, infrastructure, and other improvements. In this way, the government has made some changes to the rules and procedures for getting an online visit visa.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is still the most popular place for tourists to go to see Ziyarath, one of Islam's holy sites. Still, most Muslims who come to the kingdom do so only for the Hajj and Umrah ceremonies. But now that the kingdom is giving out tourist visas, a lot of people are going to visit these holy sites and learn more about them.
Hajj on a Visit Visa?
Late in 2019, the rules for Hajj and Umrah were changed. Under the new rules, Muslims with visit visas to the kingdom were also able to do umrah. But if you want to go on hajj, you still need a specific Hajj visa.
In plain English: The Saudi government hasn't made any rules that let people do Hajj on a visit visa. So, to go on Hajj, you need to meet all the requirements and get a Hajj Travel visa.
Requirements for a Hajj Visa
- Valid passport for at least 6 months (at the time of visa application submission).
- A visa application form that is filled out correctly and has all of the necessary documents attached to it.
- Proof that the pilgrim has a place to stay in the kingdom for the time they will be there for Hajj rituals.
- A copy of the pilgrim's confirmed, non-refundable airline tickets that show when he or she will arrive and leave Saudi Arabia.
- Vaccination(s) certificates (different vaccination requirements for pilgrims travelling from different regions).
- For umrah, women can't go alone; they need to be accompanied by a male Mahram. To get a Hajj visa, this kind of woman would also have to show proof of her relationship with her male mahram.
- Applicants for a Hajj visa must pay two checks to cover the cost of:
- Travel guides.
- Zamzam water agents.
- You can stay in a tent in both Mina and Arafat.
- The cost of transportation.
So, you can't go on Hajj with a visit visa. To get a Hajj visa and make the holy pilgrimage, you need to meet the above requirements.