According to a statement issued by the Saudi embassy in Karachi, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) has relaxed travel restrictions for Umrah pilgrims.
According to the official handout, male pilgrims under the age of 40 can travel to Saudi Arabia without their families for Umrah, and female pilgrims under the age of 45 can travel to Saudi Arabia without a mahram (male guardian).
Before this update, the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah had provided instructions for women traveling for the pilgrimage without male guardians. According to the KSA government, a woman who is at least 45 years old and wishes to travel without a mahram (male guardian) can obtain an Umrah visa.
The ministry also required that local travel agencies form a women-only group for the purpose.
It was also stated that women under the age of 45 must be accompanied by a mahram when traveling.
