Every year, millions of pilgrims keep on arriving in Makkah, Saudia Arabia for the performance of holy rituals of the minor pilgrimage. Since Umrah is a sunnah Pilgrimage and not an obligatory one, it can be performed at any time of the year. That’s why you can book your Umrah packages with flights at any time and travel for the pilgrimage as per your desire without any restrictions. Some like to travel during the blessed months like Ramadan while others prefer going for Umrah during the less crowded period of December, etc.
If you are intending to offer Umrah rituals in 2023 from the UK, whether for the first time or remain a frequent flyer, we’ve got you covered. Here’s everything you need to know about the latest Umrah rules and regulations for UK pilgrims.
Nusuk app.
In September 2022, the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah introduced an app called ‘Nusuk’ to facilitate foreign Umrah pilgrims in every regard. Let it be booking their Umrah travel package, travel guide, or flight and hotel reservations – they can do it all through this app.
• According to the new policies, pilgrims are only permitted to offer Umrah rituals once in the season. This initiative was taken to give other the chance to perform the minor pilgrimage as well.
• Every pilgrim must book his/her Umrah slot online through the ‘Nusuk’ or ‘Tawakkalna’ apps.
• Once you’ve booked a particular time slot for your Umrah rituals, stick to the date and time of the appointment strictly.
• A sufficient number of Umrah slots remain ensured by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah with the availability of dates as well.
Visa issuance.
There are different types of Umrah visas available for UK pilgrims.
1. Tourist Visa.
According to the Saudi Vision 2030 plan, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah of Saudi Arabia has now allowed travelers from specific countries to offer Umrah rituals on their tourist visas to the kingdom as well. These tourist visas are issued both online as well as available through visa-on-arrival procedures.
2. Umrah visa.
If you want to apply for a specific Umrah visa, you can do it either online or through the channel of a certified travel agent.
Pre-departure.
Before you arrive in the kingdom, download the ‘Nusuk’ app on your mobile phone and book your Umrah slot pre-departure. A valid Umrah visa would be required to register for the App.
Vaccinations required.
As per the new policies, the need for a PCR test for Covid-19 no longer persists. Every pilgrim must submit the proof of necessary vaccinations i.e. specified for their region of travel, and possess the valid vaccination certificates along as well.
Age restrictions.
1. Children aged five or more can perform their Umrah rituals on any type of visa as long as they are accompanied by their parents and/or guardian.
2. Children below the age of 5 can only offer Umrah rituals in the presence of their parents.
3. Children above the years of 18 can offer Umrah rituals alone as well.
The average price of an Umrah travel package from the UK.
The average price of an Umrah package from the UK that remains inclusive of all the travel and accommodation arrangements ranges from GBP 600 to GBP 850.
Security measures.
Keeping in view the security measures, foreign pilgrims are advised against carrying valuable items like;
• Jewellery.
• Gold bullion.
• Precious stones.
• Cash more than USD 16,000 (or SAR 60,000).
So, these are necessary things to know about Umrah 2023 for pilgrims from the UK.