Holders of Schengen Visa Permitted to Enter Saudi Arabia to Perform Umrah

Holders of Schengen Visa Permitted to Enter Saudi Arabia to Perform Umrah

The authorities of Saudi Arabia have blazoned that all persons who hold a valid Schengen visa will be allowed to perform umrah without being needed to gain a Saudi Arabia visa beforehand. Such a decision was taken only one week after Saudi Arabia decided to reinstate the visa on appearance scheme for those who formerly hold a Schengen visa.

 This means that all persons who have a valid Schengen visa can now admit a tourism visa upon their appearance in Saudi Arabia.

 Nevertheless, the authorities of Saudi Arabia have emphasised that holders of a Schengen visa must have entered the issuing country first before entering Saudi Arabia in order to be eligible for the visa on appearance scheme.

 Indeed though the Kingdom is applying eased rules, the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Hajj and Umrah explains that persons who enter the country are still needed to follow COVID-19 restrictions. It has been emphasised that all persons must keep a face mask on while performing Umrah in the Grand Mosque.

“The Ministry illustrates that wearing the masks while performing Umrah in the Grand Mosque is still needed,” the statement of the Ministry reads.

 Piecemeal from the holders of a Schengen visa, the authorities have explained that those who hold a valid US or UK visa can also enter under the same eased rules as those who hold a Schengen visa.

 This means that holders of a US or UK visa are also eligible for the visa on the appearance programme.

 Before entering Saudi Arabia, holders of a Schengen, UK, and US visa have to meet other rules too. The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah explains that all persons need to bespeak an appointment through the Eatmarna app to perform umrah.

It has been emphasised that the umrah permit of those who don't enter Saudi Arabia within the outside of six hours of reserving the appointment will be cancelled. In addition, the appointment will also be cancelled if a person tested positive for the COVID-19 complaint before entry or has been in contact with an infected person.

 A Schengen visa allows its holders to visit several other countries that aren't in the European Union or Schengen Area as long as it's a multiple entry visa.

 An aggregate of 18 non-EU/ Schengen Area countries presently permit entry to those who hold a valid Schengen visa.