As well as being a country that welcomes many tourists every year, Saudi Arabia is also a sacred land regularly visited by Muslims. Like any other country, you need a visa to enter. Faced with this requirement, can you apply for a Saudi Arabia e-visa to make the Hajj?
Which visa is required for the Hajj in Saudi Arabia?
Pilgrims need a visa to make the Hajj pilgrimage. To obtain this document, they must apply to the embassy nearest to them.
Applications must be submitted between mid-Shawwal and 25 Dhu Al-Qa'dah. To obtain a Consular Visa for the Hajj, all applicants must have a passport valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry into Saudi Arabia. In addition, the passport must have a minimum of two empty pages.
Applicants must also provide a colour photo with a white background. They must also submit a correctly completed application form using a black pen. This form can also be printed. In addition, the documents required for the visa may differ from one embassy to another.
It is best for applicants to consult the embassy of the country in which they reside for information on Hajj travel. As mentioned above, there is no e-visa for the Hajj. This type of visa is only available for the Umrah.
Obtaining an e-visa to take part in the Umrah pilgrimage
The e-Visa system has been introduced by Saudi Arabia for some fifty countries. This electronic visa is also valid for Muslims wishing to make the Umrah pilgrimage. However, the request must be made outside the Hajj period.
To obtain the Umrah e-visa, the applicant must apply online. This process can be done through certain agencies, and the required fee must be paid. They will also need to bring certain documents with them, including a passport valid for at least six months. This period runs from the date of departure from Saudi Arabia. Applicants must also have an e-mail address by which they will receive their e-Visa. The application must therefore be made on the official website or through a specialist service provider.
An agency service 