Saudi visit visa holders can now apply for Umrah permit

In a major announcement on Thursday, Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah said that foreigners on visit visas can now perform Umrah.

According to a report in a Saudi daily, visit visa holder can now apply for Umrah permit by completing the procedures on the Eatmarna and Tawakkalna applications.

However, visitors can obtain Umrah permit only after updating their immune health status on the Tawakkalna application.

According to the ministry statement only those who have completed two doses of coronavirus vaccine or completed 14 days after taking first dose of the vaccine or recovered after infection of coronavirus are entitled to obtain an Umrah visa.

About 500 firms offering Umrah service and over 6,000 foreign Umrah agents have started receiving vaccinated foreign Umrah pilgrims effective from Aug. 9 (Muharram 1).