Saudi to issue electronic visas for Umrah within 24 hours for international pilgrims

Gulf Today Report

Saudi Arabia has announced the launching of electronic visa services for Umrah catering to the international pilgrims.

Dr. Tawfiq Al Rabiah, the Saudi Arabia Minister of Hajj and Umrah said the Umrah visas would be issued to individuals within 24 hour of the submission of applications.

He clarified that applications for Umrah visas can be submitted from outside Saudi Arabia.

The minister said that the Kingdom's Vision 2030 aims to facilitate the reception of Umrah pilgrims in larger numbers.

Experts said that it is likely that around a million people will perform Hajj this year.

The minister said digital technologies would help organize this year's Hajj in the perfect manner.

The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah announced that, starting Friday, it will allow the registration of pilgrims from within the Kingdom, for a period of nine days.

The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah had launched its platform on an experimental basis to allow internal pilgrims to register through it; The electronic platform launched by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah on its official website included: reservation service, review of service programs for domestic pilgrims, and selection of the appropriate program and Hajj facility that he wishes to contract with. It also allows booking and issuance of permits for citizens and residents.

The Saudi Minister of Health, Eng. Fahd Al-Jalajel said that the ministry is fully prepared to provide all preventive, curative, and emergency services to pilgrims attending this year's Hajj season through a network of hospitals and health centers in and around the holy sites.

He added that a detailed plan has been prepared for this year's Hajj season. Focusing on preventive measures, epidemiological investigation procedures, and swift responses to any potential spread of infectious diseases.

This came after his inspection tour, Wednesday, 1 June, to the hospitals of Makkah and the holy sites.

The tour included East Arafat Hospital, Jabal Al-Rahma Hospital, Namera Hospital, Mina Al-Wadi Hospital, Mina Al-Jisr Hospital, Mina New Hospital, and King Abdullah Medical City.

Al-Jalajel also visited the Saudi Red Crescent HQ in Makkah and was briefed on the health emergencies command and control facility which coordinates hospital cases, ambulance locations, and medical evacuation landing strips.

Worth noting that during the Hajj season this year, the Ministry has launched 25 major hospitals and 156 smaller health centers and increased its clinical capacity to more than 5,000 beds.