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What Are the Differences Between Tourist Visa and Umrah Visa?

When planning a trip to Saudi Arabia, it's important to understand whether you need an Umrah Visa or a Tourist Visa. While both of these visas allow you to enter the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, they serve different purposes and come with distinct rules. Below is a detailed comparison:

Differences between Umrah visa and tourist visa

Feature

Umrah Visa

Tourist Visa

Purpose

Specifically for performing the Umrah pilgrimage in Makkah and Medina.

For general tourism, sightseeing, leisure activities, and also allows Umrah.
Eligibility Only available to Muslims. Open to people of all religions.
Duration Typically valid for 30 days with a single entry. Valid for 90 days per visit with multiple entries over one year.
Application Process Must be obtained through licensed travel agencies; cannot be applied online independently. It can be applied for online directly via the Saudi e-Visa portal. Some countries that are not eligible for a Saudi e-Visa must apply for a visa through an embassy or consulate.
Travel Restrictions Limited to holy cities (Makkah, Medina, Jeddah); other areas are prohibited. The tourist visa allows travel across Saudi Arabia, but entry to Mecca and Medina is restricted to Muslims only.
Cost Often subsidized but requires agency fees; may cost more than tourist visas. Fees are typically lower; include health insurance in the cost.
Additional Benefits Allows pilgrims to bring back Zamzam water; strictly religious activities only. Offers flexibility for tourism and leisure alongside optional Umrah rituals.

Umrah visa and Saudi tourist visa for pilgrims - Important considerations

While Saudi Arabia's tourist visa allows entry for performing Umrah, it does not entirely replace the Umrah visa in every situation. Here are important distinctions to consider:

1. Peak Season and Group Travel

The Saudi government continues to recommend that pilgrims conducting Umrah during peak seasons (such as Ramadan or Dhul Hijjah) or in large groups use a dedicated Umrah visa.

2. Access to Certain Religious Services

Some particular services in Mecca or Medina may require an Umrah visa rather than a tourist visa.

3. Zamzam Water

The Umrah visa often includes the right to bring Zamzam water back home, which is often included as part of the pilgrimage package or flight.

With a tourist visa, this benefit is not necessarily guaranteed, however, certain flights may still provide Zamzam water as a favor.

4. Cost and Insurance

In many cases, the tourist visa is cheaper; however, Umrah visas are sometimes bundled with flights and services, making the total cost comparable or even lower depending on the country.

It’s worth noting that the Saudi tourist visa includes mandatory health insurance, which should be emphasized as a key benefit.

Umrah visa and tourist visa - Which visa should you choose?

Umrah visa holders can only visit Makkah, Medina, and Jeddah, and engaging in non-religious activities is prohibited. Opt for an Umrah visa if your sole purpose is a religious pilgrimage.

The Tourist visa allows broader exploration of Saudi Arabia while also permitting Muslims to perform Umrah. Visa applications are easier to obtain and faster to process. Choose a tourist visa if you want flexibility for sightseeing or plan to combine Umrah with other activities in Saudi Arabia.

Understanding these differences will help you select the visa that best suits your travel needs and purpose in Saudi Arabia.

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