JEDDAH, 31 March — Saudi embassies and consulates around the world yesterday began issuing Umrah visas in the light of new regulations that allow Umrah visits throughout the year.
Informed sources said pilgrims will start arriving in the Kingdom by the middle of next month.
Yasser Al-Kholi, chairman of Labbaik for Tourism, Umrah and Haj Services, said that he anticipated a remarkable increase in the number of Umrah pilgrims over the coming year, and stressed the need to tap markets such as Canada, the United States, Australia and Europe.
The Haj Ministry has already licensed about 200 companies to provide various services to Umrah pilgrims. Khaleel Abdul Rahman Bahadur, vice chairman of the committee for tourism, Haj and Umrah at the Makkah Chamber of Commerce, pointed out that the authorities have solved many of practical problems related to the implementation of the new Umrah system.
Informed sources said the ministry had instructed Umrah firms to submit their services and prices in order to endorse and market them through the Internet and prevent cheating. The ministry’s computer system has been linked with the Umrah companies and the Passport Department.
The new Umrah law introduced last year allows visits all year round and longer periods of stay — one month instead of two weeks. The law also allows Umrah pilgrims the opportunity to travel to other parts of the Kingdom outside the two holy cities of Makkah and Madinah.
