In alignment with its 2030 vision, Saudi Arabia opens Umrah to all Muslims in possession of any kind of valid visa

By Sadiq Abdulfatah

In a significant step to ease religious travel and expand access to Islamic pilgrimage, Saudi Arabia now opens Umrah to all Muslims in possession of any type of valid visa. The decision, aligns with Saudi Vision 2030, also introduces the Nusuk Umrah digital platform, offering pilgrims streamlined services and instant access to permits.

According to the Saudi Arabia Ministry of Hajj, all Muslim visitors holding valid Saudi visas—regardless of visa type—can now perform Umrah.

“To facilitate the performance of Umrah for the guests of Allah, all visa holders are allowed to perform the rituals.” this was disclosed in a statement posted on it X account

According to the ministry, this decision aims to make the pilgrimage more inclusive and accessible for Muslims across the globe, removing previous visa-type restrictions that limited many from fulfilling the religious rite.

The visa relaxation is part of Saudi Arabia’s broader reforms under Vision 2030, which seeks to position the Kingdom as a global destination for religious and spiritual tourism.

By making Umrah a wider access to travelers, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is taking practical steps to Streamline pilgrimage procedures, Encourage spiritual tourism, Ease international arrivals for worship, Promote digital transformation in Hajj and Umrah services

The ministry emphasized that the initiative supports the “ongoing commitment to enabling Muslims from around the world to perform their rituals with ease and tranquility.”

Coinciding with the visa policy change, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has launched the Nusuk Umrah platform, an integrated digital system to enhance the pilgrimage experience.

The key features of the Nusuk Umrah platform includes Direct permit issuance for Umrah, Customizable pilgrimage packages, Flexible booking of services and time slots, Instant digital access for eligible users, Direct permit issuance for Umrah, Customizable pilgrimage packages, Flexible booking of services and time slots, Instant digital access for eligible users

Pilgrims can now plan their entire journey online, including obtaining the necessary permits and booking services, making the process more accessible and user-friendly.

The ministry encouraged users to visit the platform to explore available packages and obtain Umrah visas instantly.

Source: The Times of India