This Saudi move is a part of the emirate’s goal to increase the number of visitors and to boost the goal to 150 million annual visits by 2030.
Saudi Gazette reported that the nation will issue more than 18.6 million visas over 2023. Additionally, it reduced the time for issuance of digital visas by 60 seconds.
Saudi Arabia is also working on a system specifically designed to give the pilgrims of India more flexibility on their journey, especially women alone on Umrah journeys.
With the new changes, the visa for Umrah is now granted for 90 days, and the country has implemented a four-day transit visa to cope with the increasing number of Indian pilgrims, as per the Saudi minister. Saudi minister.
“By promoting gender equality and cultivating a safer, more embracing environment, these changes collectively aim to ensure a more fulfilling and secure pilgrimage experience for all travellers,” he said to PTI, the news agency. PTI.
Mr Al-Rabiah stated that he anticipates seeing an increase in the number of Indian Umrah pilgrims in the near future in light of the positive initiatives introduced to improve the pilgrims’ experience.
These initiatives aim to create a smooth and comfortable atmosphere for everyone taking a spiritual trip through The Two Holy Mosques and exploring the rich cultural and historical heritage of Islamic places and other tourist destinations within The Kingdom,” he said.
The minister also said Saudi Arabia has an estimated 175k025 quota for Indian pilgrims to the Hajj season 2024.
Categories: PRAYER (Salat), ALMS (Zakat), SAWN (Fasting) HAJJ (Pilgrimage) & DUA (Supplications)
