KSA Citizens Can Now Issue Personal Visit Umrah Visas for Friends

On Thursday, the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah announced that Saudi nationals could apply for personal visit visas for their overseas friends to perform Umrah.

A personal visit visa allows Saudi citizens to invite friends who are living abroad to perform Umrah in Saudi Arabia, according to a statement posted on the ministry's Twitter account.

According to the ministry, there are four benefits to this visa: First, the visas might be single or multiple re-entry. Second, those in possession of visas are permitted to perform their Umrah and go to the Prophet's Mosque in Madinah. Furthermore, they are permitted to have trips to all of the Kingdom's regions and cities. Lastly, visa holders are permitted to go to the Kingdom's major cities and historical sites.

The validity of a multiple reentry personal visa may extend to 365 days with a period of stay of 90 days, while the validity of a single-entry personal visit visa has a maximum validity length of 90 days with a period of 90 days stay.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs visa site can be used to submit an application for a personal visit visa.