Muslims go to Mecca in Saudi Arabia for Umrah, a religious pilgrimage.If you are not a resident of Saudi Arabia, you will need to apply for an Umrah visa in order to visit the country for the purpose of making the pilgrimage.The Umrah visa does not allow the bearer to reside or work in Saudi Arabia.You have to apply through a licensed Umrah travel agent regardless of where you start the pilgrimage.You will need to submit a number of travel documents with your application, including a passport and passport photo, and Proof of Travel Dates and airfare.
Step 1: You have to fill out the Umrah visa application form.
To receive the visa document, you must submit a filled-out copy of the 3-page visa application.The application requires you to provide personal information and sign a document stating that you will not bring alcohol or narcotics into the country.The visa application form can be downloaded and printed from the website at: https://www.saudiembassy.net/sites/default/files/VisaApp.pdf.The form should be filled out by hand.
Step 2: You can get a vaccine against meningococcal Meningitis.
If you want to go to Saudi Arabia for Umrah, you have to be protected against this illness.If you don't, your visa application will be denied.The vaccine should have been given 3 years before entry to Saudi Arabia.If you don't get the vaccine at least 10 days before your entry to Saudi Arabia, your application may be rejected.Contact your doctor's office if you've already received the vaccine.Ask them to give you a written proof that you are up to date on your vaccinations.If you are traveling with children under the age of 15 years old, you will need to show proof that they have been protected against both diseases.
Step 3: You should get legal proof that you are traveling with your husband or father.
If you are a young woman entering Saudi Arabia for Umrah, you must travel with a male companion, either your husband or father.A copy of your marriage license or birth certificate is required when applying for the Umrah visa.Women over 45 years of age can make the Umrah pilgrimage if they travel with an organized group.Women over 45 need to show a letter from their husband or father that allows them to travel.If you travel with a brother, you can make the Umrah pilgrimage.
Step 4: Call a travel agent.
If you want to go to Mecca for Umrah with your family, you have to get a visa through a travel agent.The Saudi government will allow licensed Umrah travel agencies to distribute visas.If you live in the United States, you can travel through the Dawn Travels travel agency.Their Umrah Visa Application can be downloaded at: http://www.dawntravels.com/download-umrah-visa-application.htm.
Step 5: A passport that is valid for 6 months after the travel date is a must have.
You need a passport to travel internationally.6 months after the travel date, you may need to have your passport renewed.If you travel to Umrah at the beginning of March, your passport must be valid through September.
Step 6: A passport photo that clearly shows your face is required.
As part of your Umrah visa application, you must submit a passport photo with a white background.You need to be facing the camera to apply for the Umrah visa.A picture taken from the side may be rejected.You may not need to take a new passport photo if you have an existing one.You can contact the organization that you obtained your passport from.You can get a large, printed copy of the photo at the Post Office.
Step 7: You need to get proof of nonrefundable air travel tickets.
You need to buy airline tickets before you apply for an Umrah visa.Purchases should be confirmed and the tickets non-refundable.The date of departure from Saudi Arabia should be within 2 weeks of your arrival.When you apply for Umrah, you need to show your travel itinerary.This shows the Saudi government that you won't be in the country for more than 2 weeks.