Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has updated the requirements for pilgrims coming into the kingdom. The new rules mean that vaccinated foreign visitors can perform Umrah without having to quarantine.
If you are coming from a non-restricted country on an Umrah visa and are vaccinated with a vaccine that has been approved by the kingdom, you are able to start performing Umrah immediately upon arrival and there are no longer any quarantine requirements.
If you have been vaccinated with a vaccine that has been approved by the WHO, then you must quarantine for three days. After you have quarantined for 48 hours, you are required to take a PCR test. Only when you have received a negative result will you then be able to perform Umrah.
Requirements for issuing #Umrah visas for pilgrims arriving from outside the Kingdom. pic.twitter.com/TReVhYq8YR
— وزارة الحج والعمرة (@HajMinistry) November 28, 2021
Planning your visit? You must make sure that you have been jabbed with a vaccine that is recognised by Saudi Arabia and have an official vaccination certificate. According to vaccination rules in Saudi Arabia, approved vaccines include Moderna, Pfizer/BioNTech and Oxford/AstraZeneca.
Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah also recently launched a new service, which means that overseas pilgrims can get permits to perform Umrah and visit the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque. Overseas pilgrims can get the permits through the health apps Eatmarna and Tawakkalna applications. On the apps, a new icon titled tawaf will be added, which will allow people to book appointments to perform tawaf.
For more travel news and features, click here.
