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The umra season for next Islamic year starts on 16 Zul Haj corresponding to 17 August 2019.
The Ministry of Haj is planning to introduce what they have been stipulating for years.
All external Umra visitors will, as per normal, apply for their visa from a contracted umra agent from their country of residence and choose hotels as offered by the Ministry of Haj as part of their package.
This type of booking has been part of the process already but facilitated by the Umra companies in Saudi Arabia, known as UO, for years now which had not been vigorously monitored allowing some of us external agents to by-pass and issue just visas only or visa and transport only or the whole package directly instead of getting that from the UO.
This will also end online hotel bookings made by some pilgrims using Booking.com or Expedia.com or Hotels.com.
There is a transport component, introduced in Ramadan, which let pilgrims use coach from the respective airports of arrival and dropped off at a central point in Makka or Madina.
Pilgrims from the western countries hardly ever utilise that service and pay for their own private transfers using taxis. This will also be forced upon and that any taxis engaged will be through the Umra compannies.
Many of you are discussing your travel plans soon and discussing booking hotels yourself. My advise is that make that booking only if there is no deposit to be paid otherwise your money will be lost and your trip will become more expensive instead.
The Ministry of Haj is planning to introduce what they have been stipulating for years.
All external Umra visitors will, as per normal, apply for their visa from a contracted umra agent from their country of residence and choose hotels as offered by the Ministry of Haj as part of their package.
This type of booking has been part of the process already but facilitated by the Umra companies in Saudi Arabia, known as UO, for years now which had not been vigorously monitored allowing some of us external agents to by-pass and issue just visas only or visa and transport only or the whole package directly instead of getting that from the UO.
This will also end online hotel bookings made by some pilgrims using Booking.com or Expedia.com or Hotels.com.
There is a transport component, introduced in Ramadan, which let pilgrims use coach from the respective airports of arrival and dropped off at a central point in Makka or Madina.
Pilgrims from the western countries hardly ever utilise that service and pay for their own private transfers using taxis. This will also be forced upon and that any taxis engaged will be through the Umra compannies.
Many of you are discussing your travel plans soon and discussing booking hotels yourself. My advise is that make that booking only if there is no deposit to be paid otherwise your money will be lost and your trip will become more expensive instead.
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