Umrah for pilgrims abroad to resume on Muharram 1

According to the state press agency, Umrah for Saudis and expats in the Kingdom restarted today July 26.

Head of the General Presidency for Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques, Abdul Rahman Al Sudais directed all competent associates to finalise arrangements for receiving Umrah pilgrims and other congregations at the Grand Mosque in Makkah.

Al Sudais urged the presidency’s employees to make all efforts and observe all precautionary measures at both the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque in Madina, building on “distinguished work and organisation” shown during last week’s Hajj season.

According to Hani Ali Al-Amiri, member of the National Committee for Hajj and Umrah, the aspiring pilgrims can book Umrah packages and make all the payments through around 30 electronic sites and platforms that are available for global reservations, Saudi Gazette reported.

In a statement, Hani Ali Al-Amiri said that only those who were fully vaccinated against coronavirus can apply for an Umrah visa. 

He said around 500 Umrah service companies and establishments and more than 6,000 foreign Umrah agents are geared up to receive vaccinated foreign Umrah pilgrims from the 9th of August.

Amiri said that all services and packages are available online and can be availed on global and local booking platforms approved by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah.

Harmain Sharfain, on Twitter, announced that all countries were allowed to send direct flights except for nine countries — India, Pakistan, Indonesia, Egypt, Turkey, Argentina, Brazil, South Africa, and Lebanon.

? Eligibility and Requirements for Intending Umrah Pilgrims from outside the Kingdom pic.twitter.com/uG3jLEjru0

— Haramain Sharifain (@hsharifain) July 25, 2021

The pilgrims above 18-years of age and above will have to undergo a 14-day quarantine in a third-country before arriving in the Kingdom.

The pilgrims should be completely vaccinated against COVID-19 with either of these jabs — Pfizer, Mordena, AstraZeneca, and J&J.

Moreover, people who have been inoculated with complete doses of China's vaccines will be allowed after they have received a booster shot of either Pfizer, Mordena, Astrazeneca, or J&J.

Earlier this month, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah halted applications for praying and performing Umrah at the Grand Mosque to allow pilgrims to perform their rituals smoothly and to complete the sanitisation of holy sites ahead of this year’s Hajj season.