Umrah Visa Are Due To Open 19 March

[hajjis]

SALLAM TO EVERYONE

JUST TO LET U KNOW THAT UMRAH VISA ARE DUE TO OPEN ON 19 MARCH INSAHALLAH THAT IS THE LATEST WE KNOW UP TO KNOW
SO PLEASE GET IN TOUCH WITH ME KNOW TO GIVE U THE BEST PRICES FOR UR UMRAH TOUR

RING :07724781208

[wleedhaq]

Where are you getting this information from because there is no official release date as of yet from the saudi embassy as far as I am aware

[bint]

yeehaaa!

lol..i cant wait! :hidban:

[sapphire_blue]

Where are you getting this information from because there is no official release date as of yet from the saudi embassy as far as I am aware


The word from the people in the travel buisness is that it MIGHT be open around the 20th March. Source - someone who works in travel industry. :)

[Ismail Simjee]

Assalamo Alaikum WR WB.

Brothers and Sisters,

Is this a general forum for all muslims or does it also include tour agents marketing their packages?

I am a registered Umra and Haj Agent and I made it clear when I joined that I am available for sincere advise to anyone wishing to contact me if they wish to go for umra or haj. I am NOT pushing my package or luck at all by offering impartial advise.

Unfortunately there are members here who are doing their best to sll their package and one such message is under the banner of VISA opening on 20 March!!!

No one in Saudi Arabia knows when the process will open let alone any of us here in UK.

The Saudi consulate will only accept passports for visa on Mondays and Tuesdays, when the process finally opens, and return the passports on Thursdays and Fridays. This will be strictly through licensed agents only.

My warning to you, the potential Mutamir, is that DON'T get your airline tickets printed or issued until you definitely know that the process has started and don't get persuaded by sweet talking agents either.

[ayeshasi]

I have prov booked my tickets to go for umrah on 1st april...what do u think my chances are? I hope the visas do open on 19 march:rubeyes:

[tangents]

To those that are potentially going. My college semester ends in May and after making some money through a summer job I want to go on Umrah in August, now is it a requirement to do it with a tour group? I plan to go alone and only 19 and not familar with the procedures. Also where can I find info on tour groups based in USA (specifically NY) that go because google is not giving me any that arent combined with Hajj.

[Ismail Simjee]

SALLAM TO EVERYONE

JUST TO LET U KNOW THAT UMRAH VISA ARE DUE TO OPEN ON 19 MARCH INSAHALLAH THAT IS THE LATEST WE KNOW UP TO KNOW
SO PLEASE GET IN TOUCH WITH ME KNOW TO GIVE U THE BEST PRICES FOR UR UMRAH TOUR

RING :07724781208


Assalamo Alaikum WR WB.

Here we go again, brothers and sisters, a hasty umrah agent doing his best to get your business but not having a clue about the opening dates.

The Umra System is STILL not open yet. And, the MoH has now implemented new rules, last Wednesday, compelling external agents from the whole of the world to provide the following BEFORE they are allowed the password and login to commence processing the preliminary MOFA application which subsequently allows the Saudi consulates to issue the visa.

1. Bank Guarantee,as a bond to the contractors in Saudi Arabia, for SR100,000.
2. Bank guarantee of the external agent's ability to pay for the services to be acquired from their contractor - this is an open ended guarantee which few banks, if any, would agree to provide unless the party can put a fixed deposit of equal amount in the bank here. I estimate that to be around £100,000 at least.
3. Pay initial deposit (refundable) of SR650 for every single MOFA being applied, in advance. This mean the agent will need to keep a float with his contractor which MUST originate from UK.

Once the above criteria are satisfied, the MoH will issue the license and which would lead to issue of login and password. Only THEN can the agent accept your application.
This mean another 21 days at least before anyone can even think about boarding his aircraft.

Please e-mail me direct if you need any advise or assistance in choosing a licensed umra agent.
I am NOT selling any packages, hence, I am with clear conscience InshaAllah.

[Ismail Simjee]

One more thing that the MoH has implemented.
NO ONE UNDER $) YEARS OF AGE WILL BE ALLOWED VISA TO ENTER SAUDI ARABIA TO PERFORM UMRA UNLESS HE IS GOING AS A MEHRIM FOR HIS SISTER, MOTHER, WIFE, DAUGHTER OR AUNTY.

[wleedhaq]

Looks like the 19th of march is here, glad I haven't booked an ummrah package with anybody yet. I spoke to Alhidayah today who told me that they should know tommorow when visas are opening inshallah and advising people not to travel before 9th/10th of April at the moment.

[Ismail Simjee]

Assalamo Alaikum WR WB.

The person who have provisionally booked tickets for 1st April...May Allah Have Mercy for you and enable the system to work so that you go. However, I see no chance at all for anyone to travel before 10 April at the earliest InshaAllah.

Also those of you who are students or age 40 and under. The latest regulation now prohibits you the entry into Saudi Arabia unless you, as a male, accompany a female as her Mehrim.

The person, from USA, seeking info ..There are plenty of agents across the ocean and I am surprised you cannot any.

Try Caravan Haj & Umra, based in New Jersy ( NY ) and speak to
Mr Abdul Waheed. +732 225 4050.

Today is 20th April. As I warned you in my earlier e-mails, no indication yet about the system opening for Umra visas. Further, even if it opens today there is no way anyone agent can make data entries because no one , yes NO ONE, in UK has got their contract.

Please be careful, therefore, if you are tempted by travel agents to buy their packages and airline tickets if the travel date is before 15 April.

Was Salam

Ismail Simjee

[WeWillSucceed]

Assalamo Alaikum WR WB.

Also those of you who are students or age 40 and under. The latest regulation now prohibits you the entry into Saudi Arabia unless you, as a male, accompany a female as her Mehrim.

Ismail Simjee



Let me get this right. Any UK citizen who is a male under 40 years CAN ONLY GO if they are accompanying a Mahram? Is there anything anywhere on the saudi embassys website to say this or anything official available

[ur_yusra]

Shame! That means all my mahrams will have to take me :D

[Ismail Simjee]

Saudi Embassy is part of the ministry of foreign affairs and responsible for immigration and consular issues.
Ministry of Haj is responsible for Haj and Umra affairs. The two are indepandent of each other and seldom face opposite direction.
Hence, you will find no information on either the Saudi Embassy website or the Foreign Office-Saudi Arabia's website.
Even us licensed agents often have difficulty in accessing the correct info.

[Ismail Simjee]

AlHamdo Lillah,

To my knowledge one umrah agent has got his password and login for uploading passport details on the MOFA system.

This means others will be getting their login soon.

I also believe that the age restriction of 40 years and under for male pilgrim has been dropped.

Was Salam

Ismail Simjee

[ayeshasi]

AlHamdo Lillah,

To my knowledge one umrah agent has got his password and login for uploading passport details on the MOFA system.

This means others will be getting their login soon.

I also believe that the age restriction of 40 years and under for male pilgrim has been dropped.

Was Salam


Ismail Simjee


Do u know who has got the password and login?//?/

[bint]

it opened today :hidban:

[ziashouse]

is this defo confirmed?

[bint]

is this defo confirmed?
yes my sister in laws sis got her visa today..:D

but theres a new rule that u have book ure ticket before u apply for visa or simmat?

[ziashouse]

yes my sister in laws sis got her visa today..:D

but theres a new rule that u have book ure ticket before u apply for visa or simmat?

can you confirm the umra agent ?

[bint]

can you confirm the umra agent ?
no cos..id have to ring her..:D

[ziashouse]

no cos..id have to ring her..:D

do you know where the agent is based , i/m from w yorkshire , anyone now of any agents that are processing visa thsi way?

[bint]

do you know where the agent is based , i/m from w yorkshire , anyone now of any agents that are processing visa thsi way?
london?:o

[ziashouse]

can you confirm the umra agent ?

does anyone know of any agents in west yorkshire who have their login or
processing visas?

[ayeshasi]

does anyone know of any agents in west yorkshire who have their login or
processing visas?

Still no confirmation that visas are opened......everyone has a different story to tell....Where did all of uzz get the info from, is it definate

[sadia n]

CAN SOMEONE REALLY TELL ME DAT WHEN UMRAH VISA 'S R OPENING???????

PLZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ...AND WHICH 19MARCH IS DIS ,,TODAY IS 22 AND THERE IS NO NEWS 4 OPENING UMRAH VISA...AGENTS R SAYING IT WILL'BE OPEN IN 1ST APRIL BUT STILL THEY R NOT SURE...:torture: :torture: :torture: ::torture:

[ziashouse]

CAN SOMEONE REALLY TELL ME DAT WHEN UMRAH VISA 'S R OPENING???????

PLZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ...AND WHICH 19MARCH IS DIS ,,TODAY IS 22 AND THERE IS NO NEWS 4 OPENING UMRAH VISA...AGENTS R SAYING IT WILL'BE OPEN IN 1ST APRIL BUT STILL THEY R NOT SURE...:torture: :torture: :torture: ::torture:

i have receved a email from british hajj and umra services that visa have opened,

[ayeshasi]

i have receved a email from british hajj and umra services that visa have opened,

My agent still doesnt know anything about visas. Thats weird

[Ismail Simjee]

Are you asking whether the visa system for Umra (and Haj?) has opened yet?
I know that one agent have got the password and he has started the process as of last night.

I, myself, expect to have my login tomorrow InshaAllah, please make Du'a. I am NOT selling packages I am afraid but can help you with getting your visa and help you with suggesting honest/sincere/reputable umra agents that you may take your enquiry for packaged tours to.

There is a reference to British Hajj. This group were in Blackburn until they bought out a running travel agency called Safeway Travel in Preston. I am not quite certain they have an Umra License and will be careful to make sure with them, including asking to see the copy of the license, before booking.

West Yorkshire. There is Crown Travel in Bradford who are excellent. Try them. It is run by two brothers who are AlHamdo LIllah, very good. Besides them, there is a haj agent in that area called Sada e Madina but I don't know whether they have an Umra license.

I also read a couple of messages on this forum that -the members -have already GOT their visa which is of course impossible and un-believable as the process only started 2 days ago and takes 12 to 15 days to complete with the visa placed in the passports itself.

Do write to me directly if you require further info and I shall do my best to give that to you InshaAllah.

Was Salam WR

Ismail Simjee

[kuching48]

Assalamualaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh,

Just been reading all the umrah visa information, it seem to be quite confusing at the moment.

We're planning to travel to go for umrah as soon as possible in April, InshaAllah, is there any reasonable time limit that we should give before we book our plane tickets?

We have an agent who says that he may be able to apply for our umrah visas next Monday (for about £75 per person), but we're still waiting to hear from him.

We basically have to travel in April because of work etc., but this delay in getting our umrah visas is causing some worry.

Anyway, InshaAllah we will try to get our visas asap from next week, if possible.

Wassalam

[Ismail Simjee]

Assalamo Alaikum WR WB.

Password and login into the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) has begun to trickle in for licensed agents.

Those who have their password only began processing the data yesterday.
This is the first stage of getting your umra visa and it is generated electronically by the approved agents of Haj Ministry/Foreign Ministry of Saudi Arabia in Jedda.

As an agent myself, I know that the earliest approval (MOFA) will be midnight of Sunday-Monday.

Thereafter, the earliest your licensed agent may be able to lodge your passport with consulate here will be Tuesday and the earliest your passport would be returned will be Friday which is 6th of April.

I don't think, realistically, that anyone from UK may be able to fly before 9th April at the earliest. And Only Allah Knows Best.

As a licensed agent, I am expecting my login to arrive Sunday InshaAllah.

My rate for handling the visa only - for other agents - is £38 for adult and £28 for children between 2 to 10.

Was Salam

Ismail Simjee
07958 425 763.

[kuching48]

Assalamualaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh,

Thank you for the information Bro Ismail. I suppose the best thing for now is to be patient and InshaAllah we will see what happens next week.

May Allah swt reward you for your useful advice on this matter, Ameen.

Wassalam

[skelly]

salams


agent in west yorkshire is called barkat travel in savile town dewsbury tel 01924 521000 might not have any places left as he only takes small groups me and my cus have booked for 07/04/ pray all goes well

[skelly]

just for the record he got his password on 19/04 i can vouch for that as i was there counting my readies.

[Ismail Simjee]

Assalamo Alaikum WR WB.

When an agent says he has not many places left, please hurry, you must take that with a pinch of salt because no agent worth his salt and Eeman will mislead you using such selling tactic.

Under the contract license from Saudi Arabia and agent is allowed to have 3000 visas issued before any question is asked. A group can be formed any time and, what's more, you don't have to travel with a group at all. Umra is a simple rite requiring making niyyah, adorning ehram and performing tawaaf and Sai and cut hair and its over.

These agents also would ask you to "bring your passport in" and of course a deposit and do'nt worry everything is in hand...are the worst kind. Once they have your passport and money you are snared and cannot get out.

In the post bag for problem haj agents, in this forum, you will find a statement about this agent in Dewsbury too.

Be warned and be careful before you book for you will be sorry when you return.

[skelly]

bro now am worried

[skelly]

where abouts is the comment please

[Ismail Simjee]

A confirmed airline ticket is no longer required by the Saudi Consulate for an Umra Visa.

It is required only for a transit visa. The Saudi officials want to see the airline tickets to ensure that you are NOT bypassing the Umra visa process which is quite cumbersome.

You must have a menigitis immunisation certificate with you at the time of flight checkin. Airliners are under orders to refuse you to board even if you had your immunisation but left the certificate at home or lost it. This certificate is NOT required for scrutiny by the Saudi Consulate.

Gulf Travels, in London, is the first agent who got their login on Wednesday evening.

By this evening many more agents will have their InshaAllah.

BAD NEWS is that the ministry of haj apparently have not updated their MOFA system. So, all data entered so far by agents who have their login is stopped in its track. It is expected to start on Monday InshaAllah.

This means the earliest departures from UK for Jedda will be 7th April.

[Ismail Simjee]

To brother Skelly.

I am clarifying points, especially when they are either misleading or unclear, as made by members on this forum or by agents.

In your case I was clarifying that there is no such thing as "limited places" for Umra. It is true for Haj only because those agents who have license for haj, do indeed have limited number of bar code issued by ministry of haj.

For umra, a licensed agent can issue 3000 mofas per season before he is asked to get further approval.

As far as I know, no single agent, in UK, has personally organised tours for that kind of figure. Only agents who SELL visas only, and there are only three of them, have known to have exceeded this figure of 3000.

Therefore, Mr Yusuf Ilam, owner of Barkat Tours in Dewsbury is simply laying on a marketing strategy to sell his umra package. You can always go to him and ask him to tailor a package around YOUR requirement and need instead of joining his organised group.

There are Pros and Cons in going with a group. The advantage is that it is cheaper and useful for those travelling first time and not knowing what to do.
The Cons are that you are TIED to a schedule designed by the agent to suit himself and not you. You also have to share rooms with others and be prepared to tow along his schedule.

Was Salam

Ismail

[skelly]

slams

bro ismail thanks for the update must say your are one clued up guy i think this forum needs people like you who knows what they are talking about unlike others who are here just to sell and make vast amount of money

[Ismail Simjee]

Jazakallah Khair, Skelly, for your very nice comment. I appreciate that and make Du'a that Allah Guides us all.

Actually all umra agents are clued up. The difference here is that a few good ones very rarely advertise their services as they get clients through recommendations such as Al Hidaya.
Majority of them are into this as BUSINESS and revealing information, as I do, on this forum would mean very little business as per their thinking which is sad. If they tell the truth, pilgrims would trust them and Allah Will Help in their business but the Eeman is weak and wish to make money is greater.
I keep announcing that I will be pleased to assist anyone, be that through this forum, or directly by e-mailing me InshaAllah.
I have had at least 5 calls since my comments on this forum started, MasahAllah.
Just one more repeat clarification. As soon as your licensed agent receives your passport details from you and loads the data into the saudi system, the charges become payable irrespective of whether you know about that or not.
Hence, if your agent asks you for the money for the Visa, he is quite right. It depends, of course, as to how much he wants as generally it would cost him around £35 per passport adult or child.

[sajid]

Ismail whats your company name if you dont mind me asking

i plan to go Umra very soon Inshallah

[babarm]

Salam All,

Are the umrah visa open yet??? wats happening ...???? please someone update..

Thanks

[Ismail Simjee]

My company is Al Barakah Haj & Umra Services.

www.haj-umra.co.uk

Ph: 07958425763.

UMRA VISA UPDATE.

Few agents have access login and password however, they are facing difficulty uploading the passport data on the SEJEL e-visa system because of missing information on hotels.

However, those of you who have given passports to reliable agents such as Gulf Travels etc, should relax and leave the matter in the Hands of Allah SWT.

Make Du'a that I too get my long overdue password and login soon.

Ismail Simjee

[babarm]

Salam All,

I just spoke to "Road to Makkah" and they said that umrah visa started yesterday and we can apply...:)

Thanks

[Ismail Simjee]

Its Tuesday, 27 March and 1707 hours. I just spoke to my friend, Fazal Mian Saheb of Road to Makkah who informed me that he is, like me, still waiting for his log in and password.

So there you have it.

Just don't believe the rumours outside and then come to this forum jumping for joy only to find that you are feeding wrong info and raising false expectation for those brothers and sisters who are at great anxiety because of their commitment made already and suffering.

[sadia n]

SALAM TO EVERY ONE...:hidban: A GOOD NEWS IS DAT UMRAH VISA IS OPENED FROM YESTERDAY...:hidban: BUT STILL MY AGENT SAID DAT IT TAKES MAXIMUM 2 WEEKS 4 TAKING UMRAH VISA AND SEATS.. BUT DATS ALRIGHT BEC ATLEAST WE KNOW DAT IT OPENED NOW ,,,SO HOPE 4 BEST INSHAHALLAH...:D :)

[babarm]

Salam,

Is this for sure ??? can someone else confirm this please

Thanks

[Ismail Simjee]

Sadia and Babar...

The ministry of haj opened up the system 8 days ago on 22nd March but did not update it to allow it to reconcile data entries with selected hotels.

That was done only this Wednesday 28th March.

So far only 5 umra agents have received their password and logins and one of them is NOT Road to Makkah I can assure you.

Those agents that do have the logins will accept your enquiry for umra visit but you have to accept the complete package from them or state your chosen hotels to them and, if they have such hotels in agreement of their contract, they will give you a quote otherwise a NO.

None of them will do visa only for you especially those of you who have friends or relations in Jeddah, Makkah or Madina.

InshaAllah, by this Sunday, some more agents will get their passwords and some, including myself, will be able to get you umra visa only InshaAllah.

It does take 12 to 15 days from the day you hand us the passports to the day you fly off from UK.

[abu-Moosa]

assalam,

Ismail for those of us wishing to go soon can you list the 5 agents currently able to process applications for umrah.

[Ismail Simjee]

LIST OF AGENTS

1. Rainbow Travels, London.
2. AFTA tours, London.
3. GULF TRAVELS, London.
4. AL HIDAYA, BIRMINGHAM
5. CROWN TRAVELS, BRADFORD.
6. EL SAWI, LONDON.
7. EHSAN, LONDON.

====

Here is an extract from today's Arab News published in Jeddah...for you all to read.


Saturday, 31, March, 2007 (12, Rabi` al-Awwal, 1428)

Mail Article | Print Article | Comment on Article

Delay in Pilgrim Arrivals Irks Umrah Operators
Galal Fakkar, Arab News

JEDDAH, 31 March 2007 — The one-month postponement of the Umrah season and a delay in the arrival of Egyptian pilgrims are expected to cost the Umrah business sectors in Makkah and Madinah up to SR13 billion.

Saad Al-Qurashi, director of the Haj and Umrah Committee at the Council of Saudi Chambers of Commerce and Industry, said the one-month delay is causing the Umrah sector losses worth SR3 billion and that an additional decision taken by the Egyptian Tourist Chamber to temporarily stop pilgrims from leaving Egypt is costing the sector SR10 billion.

The Egyptian Tourist Chamber has recommended pilgrims be prevented from leaving the country until an agreement is reached with the Saudi Haj Ministry over fees. An Egyptian court has subsequently approved this recommendation.

Sources at the Egyptian chamber said that tourist companies that do not follow the new orders and send pilgrims to Saudi Arabia would have their licenses revoked.

The Egyptian chamber is demanding that the Saudi Haj Ministry reduce the service fee for each Umrah pilgrim from SR650 to SR400. They would also like the Saudi authorities to reconsider the SR200,000 bank guarantee that the Umrah companies have to produce to obtain permits to organize Umrah trips to the Kingdom.

The Egyptian chamber is also calling for the cancellation of the requirement that tourist offices to be members of the International Air Travel Association (IATA).

Of 750 Umrah companies operating in Egypt, only 180 have IATA membership.

The Saudi authorities have passed a new rule saying that if three percent of pilgrims that come for Umrah through a single company overstay, then the company’s license would be cancelled.

Egyptian travel operators have requested an increase in the percentage of overstayers from three percent to five percent.

A source at the Haj Ministry said that the new regulations were applied to all countries and that the ministry’s aim was to uphold the rights of the pilgrims, upgrade the services provided to them and minimize the number of overstayers.

The official also expressed surprise at the Egyptian chamber’s stance on the issue and said that the SR650 fee has been in place for the past three years.



Mail Article | Print Article | Comment on Article

[javed Raja]

Hi Brother and Sisters,

Pls note that visas has opened already. But only the problem for the authorised agent is Saudi Government has issued Password to the
existing authorise agents but there password is not working yet because
in Saudi Arabia mostly umrah operating companies are facing many problems
to get the start their system only next week mostly compnies will
start their visas.

I have also applied for licence and just waiting to completing the Gurantee
which is SR.100,000.- under process (next week Inshallah will complete)
I only start my feeding at the end of this month.

So, I will give you my package only next week, when my gurantee will be clear from the bank.

My base in Birmingham.
Also please note I have building in Mecca only 30 Mtr from Marwah
(called Dar-Al-Marzouqi). (Building is consist of 3 Persons, 4 Persons,5 Persons
attached bath and kitchen).

and also I will give you very competative package

Rgds.

[Ismail Simjee]

I am sorry to contradict brother Javed Raja here.

The only problem the MoH is facing is the surge in electronic visa upload which is causing their system to breakdown constantly. That does not mean that agent's login is not working. On the contrary those of us who are fotunate to receive our logins are having no difficulty other than facing the system breakdowns.

So brother Javed's story is not that true. His login is held up because his contractor is probably have problem with MoH or that brother Javed's own paper work is not complete or satisfactory.

An Umra agent, anywhere in the world, need to provide not only a bank guarantee as brother Javed says, but also have to show his ability to financially meet the facilities he is obliged to buy for his mutamireens. He also need to have an IATA accredition.

Why is this forum being allowed to be used to members to "market" their packages? I think the administrators ought to check up the credibility of those marketing here so that members don't get sold on the pretext that that the seller being a member of the forum must be reliable.