Visiting Saudi for Umrah with the Family
Taking part in Umrah holds a lot of importance in the Islamic community. Individuals apply for Saudi eVisa from all parts of the world to take part in this holy pilgrimage. From men to women and the youth to the elderly, everyone sets all their other priorities aside to get a little closer to God.
That being said, visiting Saudi for Umrah is not as simple as it seems, on top of that things get even trickier when you are traveling with your family. So, it will be best if you start the journey by understanding the process to its core. This, in the end, will help you have a stress-free experience.
Planning Your Umrah Trip
Over 18.5 million people performed Umrah in 2024 and there is one thing common among all those people. Are you wondering what that is? Well, it is a well-rounded plan. Experiencing a successful trip is incomplete without proper planning. So, start planning months in advance before the trip. Here's what you must plan for:
Choosing the right time
Umrah is an all-year pilgrimage, which means you can visit the country with a Saudi Arabia Umrah visa from the UK during any month of the year. However, all seasons are not favourable for the pilgrimage, especially when you are traveling with family and kids.
Winter is definitely the best season. The time between November and February is most suitable for elders and kids. The weather is pleasant as the heat is not scorching, and the streets are comparatively less busy. Most important of all, the hotel rates stay pretty affordable during this time due to low demand. This automatically makes it easier for you to bring everyone from your family without spending a whole lot of money.
Understanding the visa requirements
Going for Umrah is impossible without applying for Saudi eVisa, which is of course after you have met the eligibility criteria for entering the country. Once you match the criteria, you will have to follow a step-by-step process to get a visa for yourself and your family. Some of the steps that you will be required to follow are:
Visit the website: Visit our portal for visa application and find the suitable application form that matches your travel purpose.
Fill out the form: Complete the application form with details accurate to the best of your knowledge. Make sure you make zero mistakes during this step as that can lead to your application getting rejected.
Add documents: Add copies of all the documents required for getting a Saudi Arabia Umrah visa from the UK. This includes scanned copies of your valid passport (one that has a validity of 6 months and at least two blank pages), a recent passport-size photograph, return tickets, bank statements, and a health certificate (if required by the authority).
Make payment: Pay the fee that is needed to apply for the Saudi eVisa. For this, you can easily use your debit or even a credit card.
Submit: Submit the form and check the approval status if needed.
Wait for approval: Receive the approval letter for your visa in the email address that you added while filling out the application form. You will just have to get a few printed copies of the letter upon receiving it and then bring those copies with you to the airport. However, if you do not receive the email within 3 to 5 days then you will have to contact our helpdesk to resolve the issue.
Booking flights and accommodation
Booking hotels and flights is a major part of the whole trip. This can sometimes be a strenuous process that will require you to search for multiple options. So, make sure you book your flight tickets as soon as you decide to go on the trip. The next item on your to-do list will be to look for some hotels and book them fast. This will eliminate most of your worries.
Steps to take before the trip
There are a few things that come in between planning and actual execution. These are more like transition steps that prepare you for the trip in a better way. Some of these things that you will be required to do are:
Get required documents
There are a few documents that you should definitely pack in your bag when traveling to Saudi with a Saudi Arabia Umrah visa from the UK. This includes your valid passport, copies of your visa approval letter, and vaccination certificates if directed by the authority.
Packing essentials for Umrah
Taking part in Umrah requires you to carry a few basic yet important things. For instance, you will have to carry your prayer mats as that is the one that you will be using. Next, you will have to carry your Ihram which is clothing that is worn by both men and women during the pilgrimage. Most important of all, you should remember to carry comfortable clothing like loose trousers, shirts, dresses (that cover the entire body), and head coverings with you.
Stay close to Haram
Staying far away from the Masjid al-Haram in Makkah and Al-Masjid an-Nabawi in Madinah can be good for people who want to stay away from the crowd. However, this also means that you will have to spend a whole lot of money on traveling. So, it is best to pick an affordable hotel near the Haram.
Considerations for a successful trip
Experiencing a successful trip starts with making a few right considerations. These are:
Performing Umrah as a Family
The process of Umrah can be lengthy and involves being around a lot of crowds. Definitely keep an eye out for your family at all times. Make sure that everyone is in one place feeling safe at all times. This is more important during the time of Tawaf and Sa'i as it requires going in a circle and walking from one place to another. This is why it is always best to visit the Haram in early morning or late at night to avoid crowds.
Transportation and Getting Around
You will have to completely rely on public transport after you reach Saudi with your Saudi Arabia Umrah visa from the UK. Options like taxis, buses, and trains are way reliable and they also help you save a whole lot of money. So, it is always best to choose these when traveling between Jeddah, Makkah, and Madinah. However, you should remember to pick comfortable options for the elderly and kids in your family.
Food and Dining Options
Well, food is one of those things that play an important part in just any trip. One can still live in a moderate hotel, but good food is always a must. So, you should search for some of the best family-friendly restaurants in the area that have halal food choices. Moreover, you should also try some local cuisine while you are visiting Saudi after applying for Saudi eVisa.
Exploring Beyond Umrah
Saudi Arabia isn’t just about the Masjid al-Haram or Al-Masjid an-Nabawi. Rather, there are many other key Islamic sites like Masjid Quba, Cave of Hira, and others that you must explore when you are in the country. Moreover, you can also choose to visit popular attractions like the Kingdom Centre shopping mall, King Abdullah Park, Al Nakheel Mall, and others. These are pretty famous around the area and visited by many families and individuals in general.
Health and Safety Tips
A trip is only successful when you and everyone else gets to stay healthy throughout. Otherwise, you will be left with no choice other than staying inside the hotel or at a doctor’s clinic at worst. You must stay on top of everybody’s health. Staying healthy during the trip is pretty easy, you will just have to stay hydrated, eat properly, and effectively manage the heat. Moreover, you should also keep the emergency numbers of Saudi Arabia (997 for Ambulance and 999 for Police) saved in your phone.
Ready to apply for Saudi eVisa for Umrah?
Visiting Saudi Arabia for Umrah is undoubtedly one of the best things that you can do to cleanse your soul and get closer to your god. So, if you are looking for the same then you should not waste any time before getting a Saudi Arabia Umrah visa from the UK. The path to getting your visa and having a successful trip is pretty easy, you will just have to remember what we discussed.
That being said if you still encounter any issues during the process then you will just have to contact our helpdesk. Doing this will be effective in solving your issue.
Check your eligibility for Online Saudi Visa and apply for Online Saudi Visa 72 hours in advance of your flight.