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MYSTERIOUS: Umrah event - You Need To See This

Saudi Arabia, Pakistan & Turkey sign 'Mecca' pact for mutual defence; India reacts

The agreement was signed following a joint defence summit attended by Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman, Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Pakistani prime minister Shehbaz Sharif, who attended after performing the Umrah pilgrimage in the city. According to Pakistan's foreign ministry, the pact is "guided by the longstanding…

The Times of India

Saudi Arabia's one-year multiple-entry Umrah visa explained: 90-day stay, eligibility and how to apply

Saudi Arabia has rolled out a new one-year multiple-entry Umrah visa, allowing eligible Muslims to perform the pilgrimage multiple times without applying for a fresh visa before every visit.

The Times of India

Saudi Arabia launches new multi-entry visa for Umrah pilgrims

The visa will be valid for a cumulative stay of up to 90 days

The Independent UK

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New Saudi visa lets Umrah pilgrims visit multiple times within a year

Saudi Arabia has launched a new one-year multiple-entry visa, which will allow Umrah pilgrims to make repeated visits.

Euronews

Saudi Arabia launches new one-year, multiple-entry Umrah visa with 90-day stay

Saudi Arabia has launched a new multiple-entry Umrah visa valid for one year, allowing pilgrims to enter the Kingdom several times within a year while staying for a combined total of up to 90 days, Saudi Press Agency reported.

The Times of India

Saudi Arabia records 22.5% rise in Umrah arrivals as over 1.27 million pilgrims visit kingdom

Saudi Arabia has reported a sharp increase in Umrah arrivals at the start of the new season, with the number of pilgrims entering the Kingdom on Umrah visas rising by 22.5% compared with the previous year.

The Times of India

Govt aids victims of Umrah scam

The government is assisting about 150 Muslim pilgrims from Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat who were duped into buying Umrah tour packages, with losses estimated at 3.7 million baht.

Bangkok Post

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Hajj 2026: Saudi Arabia suspends 21 Umrah companies over rule violations, poor performance

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has suspended 21 companies providing services to Umrah pilgrims after inspections and performance reviews uncovered regulatory violations and declining service standards.

The Times of India

Saudi Arabia opens Umrah visa applications for new season; pilgrim arrivals begin

Saudi Arabia has opened Umrah visa applications for the 1448 AH season, with international pilgrims allowed to begin arriving from May 31, 2026. The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah said visas will be issued until March 9, 2027, while pilgrim entry will continue until March 23. Authorities will manage permits…

The Economic Times

Saudi Arabia to resume Umrah visa services from May 31; announces 2026-27 pilgrimage dates

Saudi Arabia has unveiled the Umrah calendar for the 2026-27 season, resuming visa issuance on May 31, 2026. Pilgrims can enter Mecca from June 1, 2026, with visa issuance closing on March 9, 2027, and final departures set for April 7, 2027. Permits are mandatory via the Nusuk app for…

The Economic Times

Hajj 2026: Saudi Arabia halts Makkah entry, suspends Umrah visas and sets strict rules for pilgrims

Saudi Arabia has implemented strict entry restrictions into Makkah ahead of Hajj 2026, suspending Umrah visas to manage crowds and ensure safety. Only those with valid Hajj permits or official work/residency documents will be allowed entry from April 13. This move aims to prevent overcrowding and unauthorized participation during the…

The Times of India

Saudi Arabia’s Hajj Ministry unveils discount initiative for pilgrims via Nusuk Card

Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Hajj and Umrah launched the Nusuk Card initiative, offering pilgrims deals and discounts across various sectors like retail, transport, and hospitality. This official identification card enhances pilgrim experience by providing access to special offers and ensuring smoother movement throughout the holy sites, reflecting a commitment to…

The Times of India

Saudi Arabia umrah visa deadlines announced: Key dates for Pilgrims entry and exit, all you need to know

Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has announced final deadlines for Umrah visas, entry, and stays, emphasizing Hajj requires a separate visa. The ministry met with Umrah companies to discuss compliance for the upcoming Hajj season and praised their Ramadan efforts. Preparations for the Umrah and Visit Forum 2026…

The Times of India

War in the Middle East ensnares many Muslim pilgrims in travel chaos

The travel chaos from the war in the Middle East has ensnared many of the Muslims who have converged on Saudi Arabia for the Umrah pilgrimage, leaving them stranded and scrambling to find other ways home

The Independent UK

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The Times of India

Planning umrah? Saudi Arabia launches visit guide for global pilgrims in 16 languages

Pilgrims undertaking Umrah now have a comprehensive, 16-language guide from the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah. This resource simplifies rituals, clarifies visa and permit requirements, and details movement within holy sites. It covers the entire journey from preparation to departure, enhancing awareness and ensuring a smoother, more peaceful spiritual experience…

The Times of India

Explained: Saudi Arabia's new 90-day health insurance policy for overseas Hajj, Umrah pilgrims

Saudi Arabia is enhancing healthcare coverage for millions of Muslim pilgrims undertaking Hajj and Umrah. The new policy offers emergency health coverage for up to 90 days, including urgent medical treatment, hospitalisation and accident injuries. This initiative aims to ensure pilgrims' safety and peace of mind during their spiritual journeys.

The Times of India

Saudi Arabia: Ministry of Hajj and Umrah to begin issuing Hajj 2026 visas from Sunday

Saudi Arabia has launched visa processing for the 2026 Hajj season, nearly four months ahead of schedule. This proactive measure, part of Vision 2030, aims to enhance service readiness, improve pilgrim comfort, and streamline logistics. Contracts for holy site services and Makkah accommodations are finalized, with significant pilgrim registration already…

The Times of India

Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Hajj and Umrah suspends 1,800 foreign travel agencies for poor service

Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Hajj and Umrah suspended 1,800 foreign travel agencies due to service quality and compliance issues. Pilgrims with existing visas are unaffected but agencies have 10 days to rectify problems or face further action. This move aims to enhance the Umrah sector's reliability and protect pilgrim rights.

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Al Jazeera

What and when is Hajj? An illustrated guide, answers to 10 common questions

An estimated 1.8 million Muslims are preparing to embark on the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca which begins on June 4.

Dynamite News

Pakistan imposes travel restrictions on first-time flyers

Immigration officials at airports are thoroughly verifying passenger documents and conducting interviews to ascertain their travel intentions and financial preparations. Read further on Dynamite News:

The Hindu

Air travel plans, summer tourism take a hit as temperatures soar, elections due in April

There has been a shift in travel plans thanks to the unusual temperatures and the upcoming General elections. Bitten by the poll bug, a good number of expatriates have chosen to fly home rather than bring their families abroad for the summer vacation; while many pilgrims set to visit Mecca…

The Independent UK

How Mecca is the lynchpin for Saudi Arabia's hospitality and tourism drive

Saudi Arabia is pumping billions of dollars into the holy city of Mecca to meet its ambitious economic targets, with high-end hotels, apartment blocks, retailers and restaurants planned for areas around the Grand Mosque

The Times of India

Asim Riaz goes for Umrah with brother Umar Riaz for the second time in the holy month of Ramadan; gets spotted at the airport

Asim Riaz was spotted at the airport early this morning (April 9) as he left for Mecca for his second Umrah in the holy month of Ramadan. This time around his brother Umar Riaz was seen accompanying him.

Asharq Al-Awsat

Deputy Minister to Asharq Al-Awsat: Number of Hajj Pilgrims Will Match Figures Reached 4 Years Ago

Saudi Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dr. Abdulfattah al-Mashat predicted that this year’s Hajj will attract the same number of pilgrims as four years ago. In remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat, he said over 2.4 million pilgrims performed the Hajj four years ago. Breaking down the figure, he revealed that…

The Times of India

No Mercedes: Nikhat Zareen wants to send her parents to perform Umrah with World Championship money

NEW DELHI: Contrary to her earlier plans of buying a Mercedes, newly-crowned two-time World Champion Nikhat Zareen now wants to send her parents to perform 'Umrah' with the prize money.

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