The Saudi government has made it easier for foreign nationals living abroad to obtain a family visit visa that allows the holder to undertake Umrah in Makkah, home to Islam’s holiest site.
The family visit visa can be obtained through a citizen of the kingdom who is a relative of the beneficiary, according to the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah.
According to the ministry, the candidate must be a resident expatriate or a citizen of Saudi Arabia.
“Application for the visa is presented via the Foreign Ministry’s Unified National Platform Visa.Mofa.gov.sa,” the ministry said on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Afterwards, the visa holder should make sure before heading to the Grand Mosque in Mecca of having booked an Umrah appointment via the Nusuk or Tawakklana Services apps.
Saudi Arabia expects around 10 million Muslims from abroad to do Umrah during the current season that began a month ago.
In recent months, Saudi Arabia has introduced a host of facilities for overseas Muslims to come to the country to do Umrah.
Muslims holding different types of entry visas such as the personal, visit and tourist visas are allowed to undertake Umrah and visit Al Rawda Al Sharifa, where the tomb of the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) is located at the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina after booking an e-appointment.
Saudi authorities have extended the Umrah visa from 30 days to 90 and allowed holders to enter the kingdom via all land, air and sea outlets and leave from any airport.
