Saudi Arabia introduces 96-hour Umrah stopover visa for Indian travelers

Saudi Arabia has introduced a 96-hour stopover visa for Indians traveling to the West or the Middle East. This initiative, part of the Saudi Vision 2030 to streamline Umrah visits, was announced by Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Tawfiq bin Fawzan.

During a joint press briefing with India's Minister of Minority Affairs Smriti Irani and Minister of State for External Affairs, V Muraleedharan, Minister Tawfiq bin Fawzan emphasized the nation's commitment to facilitating the religious pilgrimage of Muslims globally. He stated, "Indians traveling to the West or the Middle East can obtain a stopover visa, that is, for 96 hours, and get a visa within the ticket issuance process, which allows them to perform Umrah and visit any city in the Kingdom."

The Umrah Visa, valid for 90 days, enables holders to reside and travel within Saudi Arabia, ensuring an efficient and convenient pilgrimage experience. Minister Tawfiq bin Fawzan highlighted the Kingdom's efforts to transform Umrah into a rewarding religious expedition by utilizing technological advancements and upgrading infrastructure.


Individuals looking to perform Umrah can now obtain a Kingdom entry visa within 48 hours. Indian travelers can perform Umrah in Saudi Arabia using their work, tourism, or Umrah visas. The streamlined visa acquisition process aims to enhance accessibility for Umrah pilgrims.

The collaborative efforts between India and Saudi Arabia have yielded significant results, with the number of Umrah pilgrims from India surpassing 1.2 million in 2023, reflecting a 74% increase from the previous year. Minister Tawfiq bin Fawzan expressed a commitment to discussions to enhance the range of direct flight options and focus on increasing capacity to accommodate the growing number of Indians looking to perform Umrah.

As part of these efforts, three new visa centers will be established in India, streamlining the visa issuance procedures. An upcoming exhibition in Mumbai will serve as an opportunity for collaboration between Umrah and tourism companies from Saudi Arabia and India, introducing initiatives to enhance the Umrah journey.

India and Saudi Arabia's close and friendly relationship, fostered under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, has reached new heights. Muraleedharan emphasized the mutual recognition of the partnership's benefits to both countries, communities, and the broader region. He reiterated the Ministry of External Affairs' commitment to working closely to ensure the success of the pilgrimage.