What is Umrah? Umrah is a Muslim pilgrimage carried out in the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia. Are Malaysian citizens allowed to perform Umrah? Yes. This worship of Allah (SWT) is open to all Muslims all over the world, including Malaysians, but visitors must hold a particular Umrah visa to enter the country and perform the pilgrimage. In this passage, we are going to talk about what the Saudi Arabia Umrah visa is and how to apply for it.
What Is an Umrah Visa?
The visa for Umrah visa is issued by Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) to foreign saints who wish to participate in the Umrah pilgrimage. It is a typical type of travel document. The holders could travel around the country besides Mecca, Medina.
Do Malaysians Need an Umrah Visa?
Yes. Except for nationals of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), foreigners must apply for an Umrah visa to go on pilgrimage, and Malaysians are no exception.
Difference Between Umrah Visa and Tourist Visa
Although both visa holders are allowed to perform Umrah and visit any city, they do have some differences.
| Umrah Visa | Tourist Visa | |
| Nationality | Any country | Open to 49 countries |
| Religion | Any religion | Muslims |
| Fees | No official fee, but agencies charge service fees. | SR 440 |
| Application method | Through agents | Online/on arrival |
| Validity | Single entry (max.90 days per stay) | Multiple entry (max.90 days per stay) |
| Arrival time | Umrah visas are not issued during Hajj. | At any time of the year |
| ZamZam | Yes | No |
How to Get a Visa for Umrah from Malaysia?
The Hajj/Umrah visa should be applied in the Saudi Arabian Consulate, but applicants must not do it on their own. All you need to do is to prepare the required documents and send them to an authorized agency that will arrange for your Saudi Hajj visa, transportation and accommodation in the country. It will fulfill the application on your behalf.
Required Documents for Saudi Umrah Visa
The following are the general documents for a Saudi Umrah visa.
- Passport with at least 6 months of validity and 6 pages of blank sheet.
- A Recent passport-style photo.
- Visa application form. You can either fill in it online and print it out or print out the blank form and fill in black ink. The agency will stamp and sign it.
- Return or forward air tickets which are used to prove that you are leaving the country after the pilgrimage.
- Vaccination Certificates. Adults and teenagers above 15 must offer evidence of meningitis and ACYW135 vaccination while infants and children below 15 must show proof of polio and meningitis vaccination. The certificate must be made within the last 3 years or at least ten days before entering the country.
- Proof of payment. Adults must provide two checks paid to Unified Agents Office in Jeddah. The payment covers pilgrimage services between Mina and Arafat. Kids between 7-15 are charged at half-price while children under 7 are free of charge.
- Proof of conversion for new converts. It is the acknowledgment letter from the imam, a Muslim Religious Leader and the letter would be confirmed by an Islamic center.
Please note that there are extra rules for women, children and non-Malaysian applicants.
Extra Required Documents for Women
Women must perform umrah in the company of a Mahram, husband or father. The Mahram is a blood relative that the woman could not marry (not the husband or father).
- Copy of Marriage Letter (married women aged 45 years and below)
- Copy of the marriage certificate (traveling with husband)
- Copy of the marriage certificate and copy of the husband’s identity card (traveling without husband)
- Copy of the birth certificate of the participant & heir (traveling with sister/father)
- A copy of the participant’s birth certificate, heirs & a copy of the identity card of a valid male heir (going without a brother/brother/father)
- Copy of the son’s birth certificate (traveling with a son aged 18 years and above)
- Notarized letter from the Mahram admitting the trip and stating the group’s name (for women over 45 traveling in an organized group without Mahram)
Extra Required Documents for Children
Applicants under 18 must be accompanied by family to perform Umrah.
- Copy of birth certificate for the child (traveling with father)
- Copy of birth certificate for the child and the brother (traveling with brother)
- Copy of the adoption certificate and a copy of the father’s identity card (traveling with the father/adoptive mother)
Extra Required Documents for Foreigners
Foreigners must provide evidence of legal residence in Malaysia.
- Copy of a valid work permit and more than 6 months of validity (maid and foreign workers)
- Father’s name on the passport or endorsed at Embassy (maid or foreign workers)
- Authorization letter from the employer or company (maid or foreign workers)
- Copy of study visa with at least 6 months of validity or identity card (foreign students)
Application for Saudi Arabia Umrah Visa Online
To apply for a Saudi Umrah visa, you have to find an approved local travel agency and it will go through the process and arrange your schedule in Saudi Arabia. The authorized agents are listed here. You can choose one according to the location and budget. Send the required documents or take them to the branch in person and pay for the package. Let the agents deal with the rest of the application. What’s more, many travel agencies have built up a portal that allows you to apply for an Umrah visa online. Next, we are going to introduce how to apply on iVisa
- Visit iVisa and sign up.
- Offer detailed information about your trip, such as arrival date, return date, personal information, passport information, etc.
- Choose the estimated processing time which determines the service fee. For example, the standard service takes 4 business days and costs USD $42.99 per person, 2 business days and USD $72.99 for rush service and 16 hours and USD $106.99 for super rush service.
- Choose additional services to ensure travel safety. If you don’t want, just skip it.
- Double-check the information you have provided. If there is nothing wrong, move on to fulfill the payment. Paying by credit/debit card, Venmo, Amazon Pay, etc are all accepted.
- Submit your visa application and wait for the notice of the results.
How to Take a Photo for Umrah Visa
The compliance of visa photo influences the review of visa applications and it is important to learn about how to make a qualified biometric photo.
Umrah Visa Photo Requirements
It is required to offer two identical photos for an Umrah visa. To avoid rejection, your photo must be compliant with the following rules:
- Size：2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm).
- Head dimension from the chin to the top of the head: 1.29 inches or between 24.5 mm to 35 mm.
- Background: white, no patterns, shadows, stains, or distracted items.
- The whole face must be visible and all facial features are recognizable.
- Face directly the camera and show both cheeks and ears. High- or low-angle shot is not accepted.
- Used colored photos instead of black-and-white ones.
- Printed paper: glossy or matte.
- Photo validity: taken within the last six months and present your current appearance.
- Stand or sit upright, no tilting heads or shrugging shoulders.
- Keep a neutral facial expression, no smiling, laughing, grinning or frowning, or winking. The authority doesn’t want you to look excited, sad or angry because it will twist your facial features.
- Keep your eyes open and avoid “red eye” effect.
- Keep your mouth closed and don’t show your teeth.
- Wear dark-colored clothes that contrast with the white background (such as black, brown). A plain T-shirt or shirt is recommendable. Headgear and special outfits for religious belief are acceptable as long as it does cover your face.
Make Umrah Visa Online
When it comes to taking passport photos, people in Malaysia used to visit a photography studio. They do provide professional services, but it is also time-consuming and costly. Then, is it possible to take a shot at home? The answer is yes and it could be quite simple. As long as you have a camera or smartphone, you can make an Umrah visa photo online with AiPassportPhotos. Here are some tips.
- Choose a room where the sunlight comes in. Natural daylight is favorable. Don’t shoot at dawn or dusk because the lighting is not strong enough at that time. A well-lit environment could prevent uneven lighting or shadows.
- Stand or sit about 30-50cm in front of a plain wall in case of projecting shadows on the background. If there is no white wall, the AiPassportPhotos could also replace the background for you.
- Use a high-definition camera. A smartphone is OK if it makes clear photos. Set up the equipment about 2 meters away from where you stand. Ask your family to help or use tripods. Selfie would be rejected.
- Upload the photo to Saudi Arabia Visa Photo Creator. If the photo is qualified, it will crop the size and make a printable digital photo for you within seconds. If not, you are suggested to retake a new one.
FAQs: Saudi Arabia Umrah Visa Application
Q: How long does it take to obtain an Umrah Visa from Malaysia?
A: It depends on the travel agency and package you choose. The standard service usually takes 4-5 days.
Q: How long does this kind of visa remain valid?
A: There is 1-year validity upon issuance.
Q: How many times can I enter the country with Umrah visa?
A: Single entry.
Q: How long can I stay in Saudi Arabia with a visa for Umrah?
A: 90 days at most for each stay.
Q: How much does it cost to apply for Umrah visa from Malaysia?
A: It depends on the travel agency and service. For example, visa fees of iVisa range from approx. $186 to $300.
Q: What is the difference between a Hajj and Umrah?
A: Firstly, performing Hajj during an Umrah is prohibited, but performing an Umrah during Hajj is allowed. Secondly, it takes around five days to perform a Hajj but only a few hours for an Umrah. Thirdly, Hajj is held during a specific month while Umrah is throughout the year. Fourthly, Hajj is obligatory while Umrah is voluntary.
Q: What is the difference between a hajj and Umrah visa?
A: An Umrah visa could be obtained an at any time during the year while a Hajj visa is only issued at a specific time.
Q: Can I perform Umrah with a tourist visa?
A: Yes.
Q: Can I perform hajj with a tourist visa?
A: No.
Q: Can I perform Hajj with a Umrah visa?
A: No.
Q: Can I travel to Saudi Arabia for Umrah with an eVisa?
A: Yes. eVisa is one type of tourist visa, but you can’t use it for Umrah during the Hajj pilgrimage.
Q: Can I work or study in Saudi Arabia with an Umrah visa?
A: No. This is a short-time stay permit for pilgrimage and you have to leave after 90 days.
Summary
The government of Saudi Arabia values pilgrimages so much that it makes great efforts to upgrade the mosques and offer as much convenience to pilgrims as possible. Although visitors can also enjoy Umrah with a tourist visa, it is necessary to apply for a Hajj or Umrah visa if you are a determined Muslim. We hope this passage would help you learn about the difference among tourist visas, Umrah visas and Hajj visas, how to apply for a visa for Umrah from Malaysia and what documents you should prepare and how to take a perfect visa photo so as to accelerate the approval of your application. The more you learned, the more confident you will be in your trip. Now, just get started and prepare for your trip to the holy city.
Dolores Xiao