The Umrah pilgrimage is one of great significance; it is the second most sacred event in the Islamic calendar, just before the Hajj pilgrimage in the month of Dhu al-Hijjah. The Umrah pilgrimage differs because it can occur at any time during the year.
However, you can’t simply go on an Umrah pilgrimage; there are regulations, restrictions and other things that you must do in order to acquire an Umrah visa.
What Is the Process?
Every British Muslim that wants to perform an Umrah pilgrimage needs to fulfil a set of requirements before submitting their Umrah application. One of the first ones is that you are not allowed to submit an Umrah application after the 15th of Ramadan, as visa submission is closed until Hajj has finished and the next Islamic year has commenced.
What Are the Umrah Visa Requirements?
In order to attain an Umrah visa, you need to contact an authorized Umrah agent that can apply for a visa on your behalf; this is a statutory requirement by Saudi Arabian government laws. When it comes to the passport side of the application, when it is submitted, it needs to be valid for a minimum of six months in order to be considered.
For the application form, you need to make sure that you have two passport-sized photographs attached to the form. For males, this and a couple of other requirements will suffice, however for female, there is one more important requirement:
- If the woman is not 45 years old or older, they are not allowed to travel for Umrah without a mahram; this could be their husband, brother, father, or uncle. Proof of the relationship to the mahram is required.
- If the woman is 45 years old or older, they are allowed to travel for Umrah without a mahram, but they must travel in a group and produce a ‘No Objection Certificate’ (NOC) from their mahram.
Are There Any Health Requirements?
As of 22nd January 2015, it is required by law that, when applying for the Umrah visa, the Meningococcal Meningitis vaccine certificate is produced.
In order to get this certificate, all applicants are required to take the Meningitis vaccine jab at least 10 days before the Umrah departure. If you have been vaccinated within the last few years, and you are able to produce the certificate, then you are exempt from this requirement.
Meningococcal Meningitis is a bacterial form of meningitis that affects the thin lining around the brain and spinal cord. It is typically found in sub-Saharan Africa but it can stretch across into the Middle East, which is why it is important to have the vaccine.
The most important thing is to stay safe and to be fully prepared for your Umrah trip, as it is one that you will remember for the rest of your life. At Hajj and Umra Express, we are able to provide excellent Umrah packages that can make your life a lot less stressful, meaning that you can relax on your Umrah pilgrimage.
If you would like to know more, then please contact us today on 08000 141419 and we will be more than happy to help you.