Saudi Arabia changes Umra visa regulations

The Ministry of Haxhi and Umra of Saudi Arabia has presented new changes to Umra visa regulations.

Under the changes, Umra visas will be automatically cancelled 30 days after the launch if the pilgrim has not entered Saudi Arabia within that period, sources for Al Arabiya say.

According to the same sources, the new policy will take effect next week.

The pre-accession visa validity has been reduced from three months to a month from the launch date, foreign media write, Telegrafi traces.

However, there will be no change in the long term allowed for the stay after the pilgrim arrives in Saudi Arabia. There will remain three months, sources confirmed.

Commenting on the decision, Ahmed Bajaeifer, adviser to the National Committee for Umra and Visiting, told Al Arabiya that the move comes as part of the ministry's preparations for a significant increase in the number of Umra pilgrims.

The increase is expected after the end of summer and the decline in temperatures in Mecca and Medina.

The goal is for authorities to better manage crowds and prevent overcrowding in the two holy cities.

More than 4 million visas for Umrah have been issued to international pilgrims since the beginning of the new Umrah season in early June, according to Al Arabiya.

Compared to previous seasons, this year's Umrah season is reaching a record number of international pilgrims within just five months of its beginning. /Periscope/