Cairo: Saudi Arabia is gearing up to receive 10 million foreign Muslims to perform the Umrah, or short pilgrimage, in its new season, according to a television report.
Citing unidentified sources, Al Arabiya TV reported that the kingdom was preparing to receive 10 million pilgrims from abroad to perform Umrah rituals at the Grand Mosque in Mecca from Al Muharram, the first month of the Islamic lunar calendar. Starting at the end of this month.
About 300 companies offering Umrah services have applied for and received licenses for the same, the report added.
Last week, the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah said it had started issuing electronic visas for the new season of Umrah after the annual Hajj pilgrimage ends.
Applications for Umrah visas are submitted through the Nusuk website https://www.nusuk.sa/ar/about, the ministry said.
Visa holders will start coming to the Kingdom to perform Umrah from Al Muharram.
The Nusuk platform facilitates the process of planning Umrah for Muslims around the world, including accommodation.
Millions of Muslims who cannot physically or financially afford the annual Hajj rites flock to Saudi Arabia to perform Umrah.
In recent months, the kingdom has unveiled facilities for foreign Muslims to come to the country to perform Umrah.
Muslims holding various types of entry visas such as personal, visit and tourist visas are allowed to perform Umrah and visit Al Rawda Al Sharifah located in the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah. – Appointment.
Saudi authorities have extended the Umrah visa from 30 days to 90 days and allowed holders to enter the Kingdom by all land, air and sea routes and exit from any airport.
The kingdom has announced that foreigners residing in Gulf Cooperation Council countries are eligible to apply for tourist visas regardless of their occupation and can perform Umrah.
Likewise, Schengen, US and UK visa holders can book appointments for Umrah and Al Rawda Al Sharifah through the Nusuk app before arriving in Saudi Arabia.