The Hajj is an annual global gathering in Mecca, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Hajj is duty men owe to Allah and obligatory for those who are financially and physically capable of undertaking this journey. On the contrary, though Umrah is referred to as a minor Hajj, it is not obligatory for Muslims. Moreover, unlike Hajj, it can be undertaken at any time throughout the year except on the days earmarked for Hajj. Muslims are issued Visa for entering Saudi Arabia that allows them to stay and perform the Umrah and Hajj in the country. If you want to know more about Saudi visa policy, and when and how much-concerned authorities are charging in terms of visa fees, continue reading the blog.
Muslims around the globe willing to perform Hajj or Umrah know that it’s an obligation for the individuals only who can manage the cost of it. However, as far as the Saudi visa policy is concerned, it clearly mentions that those applying for the first are not to be charged any fee. This opportunity is valid only for applicants who have not performed the Umrah or hajj in the last five years. However, it is also important to note that only a visa fee is exempted and visitors have to pay for the services they receive in the country.
It is a mainstream practice that many Muslims intend to perform Umrah and Hajj consecutively within 2 or 3 years. Keeping in view the scarcity of resources and scant facilities, the Saudi government had decided to charge fees to individuals performing Hajj or Umrah for consecutive years. To be exact, the Saudi government charges an additional 2000 Saudi Riyals from pilgrims repeating Hajj in the past 5 years. Similar charges are also applicable to the pilgrims performing Umrah twice in the same year.
The government spends huge sums of money on facilitating visitors, organizing mosques, managing sacred places, hotels, toilets, etc. In addition to this, to keep the infrastructure and services intact, billions of dollars are paid to workers, organizers, and other managerial staff. Though the revenue collected from second-timers is not enough to maintain such a gigantic inventory, yet it helps to maintain basic services to the pilgrims. Moreover, another important aspect of the collection of the additional fee from the second-timers is that it reduces the chances of a repeater. Consequently, the reduction in crowd provides more opportunities to first-timers.
The Saudi government isn’t charging 2000 Saudi Riyal any longer from the customers who wish to perform the Umrah pilgrimage twice in the same year. However, it is compulsory to pay £175 as a visa fee. All Umrah and Hajj visitors must enter the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with reserved accommodation and return air tickets.
Charges other than Visa
However, accidental death, legal support, missed departures charges are not in the category of compulsory charges. Visitors pay for them to be on the safe side in case of an emergency.
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