The Umrah is a voluntarily performed pilgrimage that can be done by any financially able Muslim who is physically capable of doing so. Muslims view it as a means of asking for forgiveness, spiritual rebirth, and a stronger relationship with Allah. Additionally, it gives Muslims a chance to visit the holiest shrines in Islam and the area where their faith originated. The Saudi Arabian Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has announced the temporary suspension of Umrah services in order to assist the perfect organization of the Hajj pilgrimage in 2024. According to the statement, the issuance of Umrah visas will cease after the 15th of Dhul Qadah, which falls on June 4th. If a person wishes to perform Umrah after this deadline, they will need to wait until the permits begin to be issued after the Hajj season is over. Muslims will conduct umrah by selecting one of the best umrah packages 2024 from all Islamic nations and can complete their holy journey.
Specifications for Umrah
The Saudi authorities have released fresh advice and recommendations for pilgrims traveling to Makkah before Umrah season in 2024:
To ensure that others have the opportunity to conduct the sacred ritual, pilgrims should only perform Umrah once throughout the season. To reserve their Umrah slots online, they should use the Tawakkalna or Nusuk software. Once scheduled, pilgrims must show up on time and on the scheduled date. According to the authorities, sufficient numbers of slots have been made available for the pilgrims, and dates have been chosen in collaboration with the Ministry of Hajj and the General Administration for the Matters of the Two Holy Mosques. Please be aware that religious travelers are welcome to enter and exit the kingdom through any international airport on scheduled flights.
In the following months in 2024, Umrah is prohibited
With the exception of the first 14 days of Ramadan and a few days following Hajj, Saudi Arabia thankfully accepts all Umrah pilgrims throughout the whole year. On June 26, 2024, Hajj is anticipated to begin. The latest day to perform Umrah is on Shawwal 30, which is almost four weeks before the real Arafat Day, which is May 20. Then, on or around July 20th, they will open 4 weeks later.
Entry prohibitions to Makkah
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has also imposed a prohibition on citizens and guests visiting Makkah without a permission, as part of its preparations for the approaching Hajj season. The purpose of this rule is to guarantee that the pilgrimage, which will soon begin, is organized efficiently. Because of this, Umrah pilgrims with other types of Visas, who want to visit Makkah, must either leave the country, stay elsewhere, or apply for a Makkah permission.
Important Information about the Tourist E-Visa and Umrah
The last day that holders of Umrah Visas may enter the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is 15 Dhul Qidah 1444, which corresponds to 4 June 2024.
The holder of a Cheap Umrah Packages Visa must depart the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia by 18 June 2024, or by 29 Dhul-Qidah/1444. Opening day of the new 1445 H season is Muharram 1, or July 19. The ministry also reminded pilgrims, that Hajj cannot be performed while on an Umrah Visa.
Ramadan
In collaboration with the Saudi Foreign Ministry, the final day to submit an application for an Umrah visa is Shawwal 15.Since the beginning of the holy month of Ramazan on April 2, 2022, almost 5 million Muslims have made Umrah or other types of smaller pilgrimages at the Grand Mosque in Makkah.