Umrah pilgrims coming from foreign countries are now allowed to travel anywhere in Saudi Arabia without any restrictions as the country has removed the earlier travel limitations.
Umrah pilgrims can travel across Saudi Arabia as the government lifts the restriction due to pandemic. Previously, those with an Umrah visa were not able to travel anywhere in the Kingdom except Makkah, Madinah, and Jeddah, Makkah, because of the travel restrictions imposed due to the global pandemic. With current guidelines in place, overseas Umrah pilgrims can now travel anywhere in Saudi Arabia.
Umrah pilgrims can travel across Saudi cities
The Ministry of Umrah and Hajj has made it official that Umrah pilgrims are free to move between the cities of Makkah and Madinah and across all cities of the kingdom during their stay. The authorities of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will allow overseas Muslims holding Umrah-specific visas to move across the kingdom during their stay. According to the Saudi authorities, the stay duration for arrivals on Umrah visas is 30 days.
There is a massive rush among both local and overseas pilgrims performing Umrah in Saudi Arabia this year. Umrah was suspended for citizens and residents by Saudi Arabia on March 4, 2020, as COVID-19 started to spread rapidly during that time.
The authorities also issued orders preventing pilgrims from visiting the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah at around the same time.
Travel Restrictions Have Been Eased Completely
Umrah was resumed for domestic pilgrims and worshippers in October 2020 after seven months of its suspension because of the pandemic.
On March 5, 2022, the Saudi authorities lifted most COVID-19 restrictions in the kingdom. This included removal of the physical distancing regulation among worshippers visiting the Makkah’s Grand Mosque and the revered Mosque in Madinah.
On March 30, the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah announced that holders of all types of visas could enter Saudi Arabia to perform Umrah. They must first obtain the necessary permits through the Eatmarna application.
An Unprecedented Surge After Pandemic Restrictions
This year, around 2.5 million Muslims performed Umrah at the Grand Mosque since the start of the holy month of Ramzan on April 2, 2022. About eight million liters of the Holy Zamzam water were distributed at the Grand Mosque in the first ten days of Ramzan.
