Covid-19 FAQ
Umrah Covid-19 frequently asked questions.
Updated 10/10/2021
Mandatory requirement of being vaccinated against COVID-19 with complete doses of either Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca or Johnson & Johnson.
- You will need to a departure PCR test: 72 Hours before departure to Saudi Arabia
- Negative Covid-19 PCR Test certificate 72 hours before travel
- Anyone going for Umrah must be aged 18 and above
- You must arrive via an accredited Umrah agency by Saudi Arabia’s ministry of Hajj and Umrah.
To perform umrah and to enter Masjid Al Haram in Makkah, you will need to book your slot via the Saudi Government apps called "Eatmarna" and "Tawakkalna"
You may download the apps from the Play store or the Apple Store.
ANDROID links to app
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.sejel.eatamrna https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=sa.gov.nic.tawakkalnaAPPLE links to app
https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/eatmarna/id1532669630 https://apps.apple.com/sa/app/tawakkalna-covid-19-ksa/id1506236754The health status on the Tawakkalna app will be shown immune only for those who received either two doses of Pfizer-BionTech, Oxford-AstraZeneca, or Moderna vaccines, or one dose of Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
The kingdom’s health ministry had previously said that those who had received two doses of the Sinopharm or Sinovac vaccine would be accepted in Saudi Arabia, provided that they had received a booster shot of a vaccine approved by the kingdom.
Yes, the authorities now allow multiple umrah per trip. These cannot be booked in one go but must be booked after each umrah has expired.
No, only fully vaccinated adults over 18 years of age may perform umrah.
No, you will need both jabs to be able to perform umrah with the second jab to be given at least 14 days before arrival into Saudi Arabia.
No, you will only need a proof of Vaccination.
You have to have given your second dose of the vaccine 48 hours before your permit starts."
- Passports They must be valid for at least 7 Months from the date of entry into Saudi Arabia. If you have a foreign passport, then you will need proof of residency in the UK.
- 2 Passport Sized photographs (must have white background)
- All women (under 45) and children under 18 will require an accompanied Male adult to act as their Mahram.
- New Muslims will require certificate of acceptance from a Mosque
You may travel on your own or in a group of any number of people– the only requirement is that all your accommodation and visa must be arranged through an approved agent.
Yes, all the major airlines that go to Saudi Arabia usually have stop overs. Saudia (Saudi Airlines) are the only airline that fly to Saudi Arabia directly,mainly to Jeddah, which is 1hr 30 mins away from Makkah and 4/5 hrs from Madinah by road.Emirates, Etihad, Turkish Airlines, Qatar Airways, Gulf Air, Egypt Air and Royal Jordanian are the usual choice of airlines for agents for hajj and umrah. You may check out some reviews of these airlines on YouTube channel.You must enter the Kingdom within one month from the issued date of visa.
If the child requires a bed or a seat in the transportation then full adult charge is considered, or if 2 young children share one bed they pay 50% of the adult rate plus a service charge. If no bed/seat are required, then they pay just the service/visa charge. Airlines charge 65-70% of the adult fare for children plus taxes and 10% for infants and may differ from one carrier to another.
An absolute minimum of 21 days must be given to allow for visa authorisation, visa processing and the necessary accommodation, flight reservations and confirmations.
In case of issues with the accommodation/transportation-booked, the travel agents will issue you with an emergency contact numbers that you should contact in the first instance. Otherwise, you may contact us by phone here in UK and we will do our best to resolve your problem.
If you are going as a group as part of a package, you will not have a choice of hotel. If you are wanting a bespoke package, you may choose any from 5 star to 2 star economy hotels.
For the Hajj and Umrah packages, the agents will provide you with a tour guide and a religious guide who will help and guide your journey.If you want to create your own package , you will have an option to choose your own religious guide which we may arrange for you.
Transport between Makkah and Madinah is usually included in all packages but if you want to travel in in between the cities then you may use the following transportation means.The Saudi Arabian Public Transport Company (SAPTCO) offers an hourly service between Makkah and Madina throughout the day by air-conditioned coaches. Prices 205SAR per person (approximately £43. Alternatively, you can hire a cab for approximately £120 one way. You may also take the new Haramain High Speed Railway which takes 2hrs 30 mins to travel between Makkah and Madinah.
You may only get a visa for umrah on a non-British passport if (you must show proof of original documentation):
- You have an "indefinite stay" endorsement on your passport
- You are here to stay with your spouse who is a British National
- You are here on a work permit
- You are here on a student visa
Under the new system there are no restrictions on the number of times that you can apply for an umrah visa as long as the criteria for umrah visa is met
Your passport should have a validity for a minimum of 6 months. If you do not have 6 months validity you cannot apply for Umrah visa.
It is a requirement of the Shariah as well as the Saudi government that a women must travel with a valid mahram (close male relative) i.e. father, son, brother, grandson, maternal or paternal uncle, grandfather, nephew, father-in-law and son-in-law
These differ from hotel to hotel and on the time of season and can range from check-in times of 2pm-5pm and check-out from 11am-12pm. You may ask your agent to alter the check-in or check-out times who will contact the hotel on your behalf or you may ask the hotel directly once you are there.
Umrah is usually re-opened after hajj. This year umrah was re-opened on the 1st Muharram 1442 which coincides with 10th August 2021. Approximate date for 2022 is 31st July 2022.
Hajj falls on the 9th Dhul Hijjah which coincides with 8th July 2022.
1st Ramadan 1443 is approximated to fall on 3rd April 2022.