Umrah visa period for Pakistanis extended to 90 days

Riyadh: Saudi Arabia has extended the visa period for Umrah pilgrims of Pakistan from 30 to 90 days. The authorities have also made visa issuance easier as it can be issued in 24 hours.

The Saudi minister arrived in Islamabad on August 20, Sunday on a one-day official visit and reached Karachi on Tuesday after high-level meetings in the federal capital, where he told reporters that under the Saudi government's vision 2023, the facilities for Hajj and Umrah pilgrims will be improved.

Saudi minister said that now pilgrims coming to Saudi Arabia for Umrah can move to any city in the country. “Now anyone coming on Umrah visa can visit any city in Saudi Arabia along with Makkah and Madinah, for example, they can visit Riyadh, Dammam and other cities”.

Under the new policy, women can enter the kingdom without a male guardian (mahram). “We have also launched a transit visa that allows travel through Saudi Arabia and a four-day stay in the Kingdom, and airlines, particularly Saudi Airlines, will also provide one night's free stay. Ticket and visa will also be issued simultaneously,” the minister added.

It was also stated that there are many holy and historical places in Makkah and Madinah which are being opened to the visitors of the country. Everyone likes to visit places and we have more than 100 places where we are doing development work which will increase visits to historical places and heritage sites.

Dr. Taufeeq said that Saudi government wants to provide all the facilities to the pilgrims that can attract more people. During my visit to Pakistan, we also signed an agreement to increase the number of flights between Saudi and Pakistani airlines.

He further said that a new airline has also been approved to increase the number of low fare flights.