How to Apply for Visa from the UK to Perform the Pilgrimage?

Umrah is a religious pilgrimage of Muslims performed throughout the year because it is a sunnah ibadah. Though Umrah's performance is undertaken voluntarily by a pilgrim, the rewards it holds are no lesser than that of the obligatory pilgrimage of Hajj. That’s why every year millions of Muslims travel from the UK and across the globe with their Umrah Packages to offer the holy rituals in Makkah, Saudia Arabia.

If you are a UK citizen or have a permanent residence there and wish to perform Umrah, here’s everything you need to know about applying for a visa from the UK to offer the pilgrimage.

Just like any other international travel, traveling for Umrah from the UK also requires a person to fulfill all the requisites of foreign travel. 

1. Apply for an Umrah visa

First of all, you need to apply for an Umrah visa. There are multiple ways of doing that. Such as;

• You can visit the official website of the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah at https://www.haj.gov.sa and apply for an e-visa there.

• You can offer Umrah rituals on your tourist visa to the kingdom which is also available on arrival there.

• You can hire the services of a third-party travel agent and leave all the hassle of visa management to the agency.

2. Attach the necessary documents

Once you’ve obtained the Umrah visa application form, fill in all the necessary columns with valid information and details of your travel. This step is crucial because your visa approval/rejection depends upon this. The additional documents required with your Umrah visa application form prominently include;

• Passport with a validity of six months at least at the time of visa application submission.

• Two latest, passport-sized photographs that have a frontal view of the applicant on a white background. No side angles are acceptable.

• Vaccination certificate(s) for all the necessary vaccinations specified for your region of travel.

• Proof of non-refundable and confirmed return airline tickets. 

• A copy of your pre-booked hotel accommodation in the kingdom for your entire stay period.

• Sufficient funds to prove your financial independence in order to sponsor your expenses there.

3. Pay the visa fee

Once the documentation is finalized, it’s time to pay the visa fee. Note that the visa fee for every individual differs on the basis of;

• Type of visa obtained.

• Region of travel.

• Citizenship.

• Season of travel.

So, it’s better to consult the officials beforehand to better know of the visa fee for your travel route. 

Note that the visa fee remains non-refundable even if your visa is rejected. 

4. Track your visa application

After submitting your Umrah visa application, you can easily track the process through the official website with the help of a specified visa number. 

It remains advisable for the applicants to keep a close eye on their Umrah visa processing in order to ensure the timely delivery of the visa and have a hassle-free travel experience.

5. Upon approval

Upon approval of your Umrah visa application, applicants are required to collect the visa from the Saudi embassy and/or consulate present in the United Kingdom. 

One must keep in mind that the Umrah visa is valid for a limited period. Therefore, plan and execute your holy trip accordingly. This is because overstaying your visa would result in penalties and even legal prosecutions there. 

So, for a peaceful Umrah travel experience, double-check your travel requirements before departure and follow all the legal rules and regulations imposed on the pilgrims.