Anyone going for an Umrah soon will want to know how to apply for an Umrah visa to perform the pilgrimage. This is because we all know that this is the primary requirement. However, there is good news for UK citizens, as they have two visa options. Yes, it might come as a surprise to you, but as a UK Muslim, you can perform Umrah with a Saudi tourist visa, too.
However, most of us want to avail ourselves of the Umrah visa from the UK because it has additional perks, as it is a pilgrimage-specific visa. However, there are certain other things that you must consider before applying for any particular visa type. Some things that will affect your visa choice might be the time you can spend on the approval process and many other factors. So, we are here to tell you everything you need to know about the two visa types to ensure you choose the right one.
What is the Umrah Visa Specific?
All foreign tourists who want an Umrah in KSA must avail of the Umrah visa. This specific visa is issued for religious tourists. However, remember that you cannot perform Hajj with this visa. This single-entry visa lets you stay in the three cities, Makkah, Madinah, or Jeddah, for ninety days. You cannot enter any other KSA city without this visa. Also, the visa application process for this visa is quite extensive, and you will have to contact an authorized Umrah travel agency. One of the most significant advantages of this visa is that you get special pilgrim perks.
What is the Saudi Tourist eVisa?
This newly introduced KSA visa makes tourism in the region a lot easier. Usually, if you have this visa, you cannot perform an Umrah or indulge in religious activities. However, there is an exception for Muslims from around forty-nine countries, and luckily UK is one of them. You can also perform an Umrah with a tourist visa as a UK Muslim.
Many UK citizens have started applying for tourist visas in Umrah because of the simplicity of the application process. It doesn’t require you to go to a travel agency or wait for extensive time. Apply for this visa online and wait 24 to 72 hours for approval. Also, unlike the Umrah visa, you can travel around the country however you want if you have this visa and can enter the region multiple times within a year. So, whoever wants to embark on the spiritual retreat at the earliest would prefer this visa. The only disadvantage with this visa is that you don’t get special pilgrim perks.
How do you apply for an Umrah-specific visa from the UK?
Hire an Approved Umrah Travel Agency
You must hire an approved Umrah travel agency to apply for an Umrah visa. You must choose a reliable travel agency if you want a convenient Umrah visa application process. So, don’t rush during this process and compare the reviews and services of various travel agencies in your area before hiring the right one.
Collect and Submit Your Required Documents
After hiring and contacting your travel agents, the next step of the visa process starts. This involves collecting all your legal travel documents. If you have everything with you already, you just have to put them in one place and submit it to your agents. And if you have some documents missing, apply for them as soon as possible. Your agents will guide you about the documents that you will need.
Fill Your Visa Application Form
You will have to help your travel agents fill out your visa application form so there are no issues. So, after you have collected all your documents, fill out the form carefully.
Download the Apps
Once you enter the region for your pilgrimage, you must download two apps: the Tawakalna app and the Nusuk app. Both of these applications are explicitly designed to manage and guide pilgrims.
Final Words
Have you availed of the Umrah package from London? In that case, this guide will enable you to get the correct visa. This guide has everything you need to know about the Umrah visa application process from the UK. So, make sure you choose the right visa that suits you perfectly. However, if you have booked the Umrah package, your travel agents will handle the whole process. You will only have to submit your documents.