The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah in Saudi Arabia has announced that citizens can invite their Muslim friends from abroad to perform Umrah in the Kingdom on a “personal visit visa.”
These visas can be obtained online and are available as single-entry or multiple-entry permits. A single-entry visa is valid for 90 days, while a multiple-entry visa allows visitors to stay in the Kingdom for up to 90 days with each visit and is valid for one year.
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Apart from performing Umrah rituals in the Grand Mosque in Makkah and visiting the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah, visitors can also explore various tourist destinations across the Kingdom on a personal visit visa. The application process for this visa can be done through the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs visa platform.
The Umrah season begins after Hajj to allow pilgrims to return home and avoid congestion in holy places and airports. The Presidency of the Two Holy Mosques has announced its readiness to receive the first worshippers for this year’s Umrah season.
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In line with the Saudi Vision 2030 strategic plan launched in 2016, Saudi Arabia has been focusing on developing its tourism industry to reduce its reliance on oil exports and diversify its economy. The aim is to attract 100 million visitors by 2030 and create over 1 million jobs for the growing workforce while generating economic revenues.
As part of the plan, the Kingdom has also opened its historical and cultural sites, with the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah expected to witness a significant increase in spiritual tourism, with the number of pilgrims projected to reach 30 million by 2030.
