To perform Hajj and Umrah, as well as to travel to Saudi Arabia, various types of documents are required. Without these documents, your pilgrimage may be jeopardized, or you could face different types of problems. Although your travel agency will certainly inform you of the necessary documents, we will attempt to understand below what documents are needed for performing Hajj and Umrah.
Documents for Hajj or Umrah
The documents required for performing Hajj and Umrah include a passport, visa, vaccination certificate, mahram certificate, photos, national ID card, marriage certificate, tickets, reversion certificate (for new Muslims), and child certificate. Additionally, you will find some tips below, which are extremely important for you.
Passport: As a requirement for an Umrah visa, you must have a valid passport, which should be valid for at least six months.
Visa: Hajj and Umrah visas can only be issued by licensed travel agents. Your travel agent will apply for your visa at the Saudi consulate with your passport and other documents. The Saudi consulate will then issue the visa.
Umrah visas can be issued at any time throughout the year. An Umrah visa is valid for 30 days. Once your visa is issued, you must enter Saudi Arabia within 30 days from the issuance date. However, sometimes the Saudi authorities may reduce the validity period to 15 days. Therefore, be sure to discuss this matter in detail with your travel agency.
According to Wego’s information, the total fee for an Umrah visa from the USA is approximately $105-$110, which includes the application fee and medical insurance fee.
The main Hajj visas are issued from the 15th of Shawwal (the first day of application acceptance) until the 25th of Dhu al-Qi’dah (the last day of acceptance). Generally, Hajj visas are processed within 2-3 days, although late applications may take 1-2 weeks.
Vaccination Certificate: Various vaccination certificates may be required, such as a meningitis vaccination certificate, a COVID-19 vaccination certificate, or a polio vaccination, and if your country has an epidemic like yellow fever, a certificate for that may also be necessary.
Mahram Certificate: Women under the age of 45 must be accompanied by a mahram for Hajj or Umrah. However, women over 45 can travel without a mahram but need permission from a mahram and will need a certificate for this.
Photos: Two recent passport-sized photos are required, and it is recommended to keep at least four photos with you when traveling to Saudi Arabia. These may be needed for preparing various documents, so keeping a minimum of four photos is advisable to avoid any issues.
National ID Card: A national ID card is required and should be carried with you when traveling to Saudi Arabia.
Marriage Certificate: If a husband and wife are traveling together, a marriage certificate will be needed.
Tickets: Entry tickets to Saudi Arabia, flight tickets, and all other travel tickets should be carried with you.
Reversion Certificate: If someone has converted to Islam from another religion, a certificate of conversion (reversion) must be carried.
Child Certificate: For children under 18, a child certificate is required, which includes the names of both parents. These documents are needed for performing Umrah.
Tips
1. Keep a separate photocopy of your passport.
2. Keep your certificates with you at check-out, or you may not be allowed to board the plane.
3. Carry at least 4-5 photos with you.
From the above discussion, we understand what documents are required for performing Hajj and Umrah. Now, we will know what documents are needed for Hajj and Umrah from different countries.
Documents Required for Umrah Visa from the USA
Passport: To obtain an Umrah visa from the USA, you must first have a valid passport with a minimum validity of six months from the travel date and at least four blank pages.
Visa Application Form: The visa application form must be filled out and signed. You must apply for an Umrah visa through an authorized agent.
Photos: Two passport-sized photos are required, with a white background.
Green Card: Non-US citizens must carry a green card.
Vaccination Certificate: A meningitis vaccination certificate is required. A COVID-19 vaccination certificate may also be needed. If someone has an illness like yellow fever or any contagious disease, a vaccination certificate for that is also required.
Tickets: Confirmed return flight tickets must be carried.
Proof of Relationship: Women and children need proof of relationship with the mahram (marriage or birth certificate).
Travel Insurance: In some cases, travel insurance (such as medical or emergency coverage) may be required for obtaining an Umrah visa.
Financial Proof: Proof of financial stability, such as a bank statement or other evidence (such as an income tax certificate or proof of employment), may be needed.
Documents Required for Umrah Visa from Dubai
From the discussion above, we have learned what documents are required for an Umrah visa from the USA. The same documents are required for Dubai, except there is no need for a green card from Dubai.
Documents Required for Umrah Visa from India
The same documents as the USA are required for India. However, there is no need for a green card from India.
Documents Required for Umrah Visa from Pakistan
The same documents as the USA are required for Pakistan. However, there is no need for a green card from Pakistan, and the passport must be valid for at least eight months to obtain an Umrah visa from Pakistan.
From the above discussion, we have learned about the required documents for obtaining a Hajj or Umrah visa. In other words, we now know what documents are needed for obtaining a Hajj and Umrah visa. There is no alternative to these documents for obtaining a Hajj or Umrah visa. However, in most cases, the same type of document is needed for different countries. If any additional documents are needed in certain countries, your travel agency will inform you.
