Riyadh: Electronic visas for Hajj and Umrah pilgrims will be issued within minutes and without agents for various Hajj/Umrah campaigns and companies under plans by Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah.
“Pilgrims who are coming from outside the Kingdom are tied to Hajj and Umrah service-providing companies and agents in order to obtain a visa. The electronic visas will be issued to these entities who will be licensed to facilitate Hajj and Umrah in these countries,” Abdulrahman Shams, an adviser to the minister of Hajj and Umrah and general supervisor of Hajj and Umrah’s electronic platform, said on MBC.
Shams said the electronic platform will include new services that will give non-Saudis access to the e-portal, where they can review service packages, choose a package and apply for visas electronically, according to Arab News.
“We are working closely with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Interior to issue visas electronically, within minutes of completing the required forms, and without the need for passports to go through embassies,” he said.
The move will help encourage greater numbers of pilgrims, he added. Saudi Arabia has issued over 4.33 million Umrah visas this year. The ministry’s move helps facilitate pilgrims’ journeys and minimizes pre-planning. Under Vision 2030, the Kingdom hopes to attract more than 30 million Umrah pilgrims and provide them with top-class services.
In January, the ministry updated its online portal to support foreign pilgrims. Almost 1.1 million Muslims used the Maqam online portal in its trial phase last year, allowing them to choose between more than 30 companies providing travel and accommodations for trips to Makkah and Madinah.
The ministry has been discussing incorporating e-services since November 2018.
Abdulaziz Al-Wazzan, the deputy minister of Hajj and Umrah, said the initiative aims to make visas more accessible to pilgrims, while also contributing to an increase in pilgrim numbers.
For all the latest News, Opinions and Views, download ummid.com App.
Select Language To Read in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic.
Lok Sabha Election 2019 Schedule: 07 Phase Polls, Voting for 1st Phase on 11 April
Andhra, Odisha, Sikkim and Arunachal state elections simultaneously with LS Polls
After Brazil, WhatsApp "Skewed" Elections stare at India
Amid drumbeats of war, Democracy should not become a casualty
What action against parties using anti-Muslim rhetoric, CEC has no answer
Salman Khursheed, Imran Masood, Saleem Iqbal in Congress 1st list for 2019 LS Polls
India Pakistan border trade resumes
Justice Kalifulla, Sri Sri and Sr Lawyer to mediate in Ayodhya case: Apex Court
Ayodhya Dispute Mediation Panel: Who is Justice FM Ibrahim Kalifulla
Why Terrorists Strike Whenever BJP Is In Trouble?
