Your first step towards holy journey

How do I enter into the state of Ihram?

A Muslim enters into the state of Ihram at the place specified by Sharia, and shall abstain from the Ihram prohibitions. He shall recite Talbiyah, saying: "Labbayka Allaahumma Labbayk, Labbayka La Shareeka Laka Labbayk. Innal Hamda Wan-ni'mata Laka Wal-Mulk, La Shareeka Lak" (Here I am at your service, o Allah, at Your service! At Your service! You have no partner! I am at Your service! Indeed, all praise and grace belong to You, and so does the supreme authority. You have no partner).

Circumambulation (Tawaf):

• He/she goes to the Haram
• When the Kaaba is to the left, they circumambulate (counterclockwise)
• He begins and ends at the Black Stone
• After completion of the seven rounds, you pray two Rakaah in an appropriate place

Sa’i (between Safa and Marwa):

He/she heads to Safa where he starts Sa’i towards Marwa. Once reaching Marwa, you have completed one round. Crossing the distance back to Safa fulfills the second round, and so on until the seventh round ends at Marwa.

Having hair of the head shaven or trimmed:

• After completing Sa’i, men go to the barber shops to have their hair shaven or trimmed
• Women gather their hair and cut from its ends about (1-2 cm)
• With this act, the Umrah would be completed, marking the end of Ihram
• Umrah pilgrims should avoid any conduct that harms others in the Haram, such as jostling, entering crowded places, and reversing the direction of circumambulation. They shall carefully follow the instructions of observers and security personnel.

Performing Umrah in Ramadan

Umrah has great virtues at all times. It is one of the deeds that expiate sins, for the Prophet (blessings and peace be upon him) said. Additionally, it has a special virtue during Ramadan.

Reward for performing Umrah in Ramadan

The Prophet blessings and peace be upon him said: "Performance of Umrah in Ramadan is equivalent to Hajj", or he said: "Equal to performance of Hajj with me". This virtue extends to all the days and nights of Ramadan.

The pilgrim must perform his Umrah at the time allotted to him as shown by the reservations in the official Umrah applications. When you drive for Umrah, park your car in a parking lot in Makkah.

You can book an Umrah package through various travel agencies or tour operators specializing in religious pilgrimages. They can assist with visa arrangements, flights, accommodation, transportation, and other necessary arrangements.

• Foreign pilgrims who wish to embark on the Umrah journey can apply for either the Umrah visa or the Umrah e-visa. The Umrah visa is a physical visa that is issued by the Saudi embassy or consulate in the pilgrim's home country. The application process for the Umrah visa usually involves submitting various documents, such as a passport, a recent photograph, and a certificate of vaccination. The visa is then stamped onto the pilgrim's passport, which they must carry with them when traveling to Saudi Arabia.
• On the other hand, the Umrah e-visa is an electronic visa that can be applied for online through the Saudi evisa website. Pilgrims must provide the same documents and information as for the Umrah visa application, and the visa is then issued electronically and sent to the pilgrim's email address. The pilgrim must carry a printed copy of the e-visa with them when traveling to Saudi Arabia.
• Both the Umrah visa and Umrah e-visa have validity periods and may be subject to certain restrictions or conditions. It is important for pilgrims to carefully review the requirements and guidelines before applying for either type of visa.

• An Umrah visa is required for foreign pilgrims to perform the Umrah pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia. There are two ways to apply for the Umrah visa: online e-visa and through the embassy.
• To apply for an e-visa, foreign pilgrims must first need to visit the evisa website and fill out an application form, upload a copy of their passport and a passport-sized photo, and pay the visa fee online. The application will then be processed, and if approved, the e-visa will be sent to the applicant's email.
• To apply for the Umrah visa through the embassy, foreign pilgrims must contact the Saudi embassy in their home country or a consulate near them. They will need to submit a completed application form, a copy of their passport, a passport-sized photo, and proof of their flight and hotel bookings. The embassy will then process the application, and if approved, they will stamp the visa on the applicant's passport.
• It is important to note that the Umrah visa is only valid for a specific period, usually depending on the nationality, and can only be used once. Pilgrims are also required to have a valid passport with at least six months' validity and a round-trip ticket. Additionally, female pilgrims under the age of 45 must be accompanied by a male relative or spouse, while those over 45 can travel alone but must provide proof of their marriage status.
• Overall, applying for the Umrah visa requires careful planning and attention to detail. It is important to check the latest requirements and guidelines from the Saudi Arabian authorities and to ensure that all necessary documents are in order before embarking on the journey.

• Obtaining a visit visa for Umrah within 24 hours is highly likely. The visa application process for Umrah requires several steps, including registration on the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah's online portal, submitting the required documents, and waiting for the application to be processed by the Saudi authorities.
• The processing time for the Umrah visa application typically takes 3 to 6 days as a normal process, depending on various factors such as the processing time selected by you and the country of origin of the applicant.
• It is possible to expedite the visa application process by paying additional fees. However, even in these cases, obtaining a visa within 24 hours is highly likely.
• It is always recommended to plan ahead and apply for the Umrah visa well in advance of the planned travel dates to avoid any delays or issues with the application process.

The required documents typically include a valid passport, a confirmed Umrah visa, and any other identification documents requested by the Saudi authorities. It's important to check the specific requirements of your country and consult with your travel agency.

Umrah can be performed at any time of the year, as it is not bound by specific Islamic calendar dates. However, certain months such as Ramadan and the months preceding or following it are considered more rewarding for performing Umrah.

Performing more than one Umrah during the same trip

Performing the Umrah is one of the best and greatest deeds in the sight of Allah, as the Prophet (blessings and peace be upon him) said: "The performance of one Umrah is an expiation for what was committed between it and the previous. And it is allowed to repeat more than once per year".

Is it prescribed to perform more than one Umrah during the same trip?

• Some visitors to Makkah are keen to repeat Umrah on behalf of themselves or some of their relatives, for fear that they won't be able to visit Makkah again. This is permissible unless it causes inconvenience to other pilgrims or it violates the terms and conditions of Umrah's official applications.
• Once one obtains the necessary permission of the concerned bodies to perform another Umrah shall go to the nearest place outside the Haram, such as the mosque of Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) in Al Taneem. He/she enters into the state of Ihram from this place, then performs the Umrah.

• The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia now allows visitors holding Saudi tourist visas to perform Umrah, one of the most sacred religious journeys for Muslims. Citizens of 49 countries who are eligible to apply for the Saudi electronic visa can now perform Umrah in the Kingdom by securing their visas online at the Visit Saudi Arabia website or upon arrival at airports.
• This new regulation allows citizens of countries such as the US, UK, and Schengen area to perform Umrah using their existing visas. The visa must be valid and bear an entry stamp from the issuing country to qualify for the Umrah permit.
• The tourist visa is valid for a period of 12 months upon arrival at one of the Saudi airports, without the need for prior application. Visa holders will be allowed to visit various cities and regions throughout the Kingdom.
• This decision aims to encourage tourism in Saudi Arabia while also facilitating the process for those wishing to perform Umrah. Previously, only those with a specific Umrah visa were allowed to perform the pilgrimage. However, with this new regulation, the Kingdom is opening its doors to a broader range of visitors, including tourists who wish to explore the country's rich history and cultural heritage.
• It is important to note that visitors must adhere to the guidelines and regulations set forth by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah during their stay in the Kingdom. This includes obtaining the necessary permits and complying with health and safety measures.
• In summary, visitors holding Saudi tourist visas from eligible countries can now perform Umrah in the Kingdom. The visa must be valid and bear an entry stamp from the issuing country. The tourist visa is valid for a period of 12 months upon arrival at one of the Saudi airports, and visitors can explore various cities and regions throughout the Kingdom. It is crucial to follow the guidelines and regulations set by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah to ensure a safe and fulfilling visit.

Umrah is a set of rituals of worshipping Allah by entering into the state of Ihram, performing circumambulation of the Kaaba, performing Sa’i between Safa and Marwa, and having one's hair shaven or trimmed.

It has great stature and virtues, including:

• Allah mentioned it along with Hajj and commanded that it be completed and performed in the most perfect manner, for the sake of Allah’s pleasure. The Almighty said: {and perform properly the Hajj and Umrah for Allah}.
• It wipes out sins and reduces poverty and need: the Prophet (blessings and peace be upon him) said: "Perform Hajj and Umrah consecutively; for they remove poverty and sin as the bellows remove impurity from iron".
• Umrah expiates sins: the Prophet (blessings and peace be upon him) said: "From one Umrah to the next is an expiation for the sins committed between them".
• Every step in circumambulation is an increase in good deeds and forgiveness of sins: the Prophet (blessings and peace be upon him) said: "Whoever circumambulates the House does not raise a foot or put down the other, except that Allah will write down for him a good deed, erase for him a sin and raise his rank".
• Sa’i between Safa and Marwa is a reason why Allah will be thankful and rewarding to His servant: "And who volunteers good, Allah is All-grateful, All-knowing".

The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has announced that Saudi citizens can invite their friends to the Kingdom to perform Umrah with a "Personal Visit Visa". This visa allows for the application of several guests at the same time and can be issued for one or multiple trips, with the option to enter Saudi Arabia once or multiple times. The visa also enables visitors to perform Umrah, visit the Prophet's mosque, religious sites and historical monuments, as well as take touristic trips to all Saudi regions and cities.

It should be noted that the single entry personal visa is valid for 90 days and allows visitors to stay for 90 days. The multiple entry visa is valid for 365 days with a 90-day stay. These visa options offer flexibility for Saudi citizens to invite their friends and loved ones to the Kingdom for religious or touristic purposes.

The duration of an Umrah trip can vary depending on the package and personal preferences. It can range from a few days to a couple of weeks.