In addition to Umrah Conditions and rules, some Umrah requirements must apply to pilgrims to be accepted for Hajj.
Umrah Requirements 2023
Firstly, Here are the main requirements for Umrah:
- Valid passport: You must hold a valid passport for at least 6 months.
- Age: All persons over the age of 5 can go to Umrah, but everyone under 18 must be with their parents or guardians.
- Umrah Visa: You must obtain an Umrah visa, which requires a passport-sized photograph, a valid passport, and proof of vaccination against certain diseases.
Learn more here.
- Round-trip ticket: You must have a round-trip ticket, with a specific departure date from Saudi Arabia.
- Accommodation: You must have a confirmed reservation for accommodation in Mecca and Medinah for your stay.
Secondly, There are some precautions that you should pay attention to when preparing for Umrah, for example:
- You may be refused entry to Saudi Arabia if your passport contains evidence of previous travel to Israel
or indicates Israel as your place of birth.
- Hajj and Umrah pilgrims are not allowed to bring fresh food into Saudi Arabia, Only properly packaged or sealed food.
Umrah Requirments | Health Requirements
The Saudi Ministry of Health has set a number of health requirements that must be met by visitors to obtain an entry visa for Hajj and Umrah, including:
Yellow Fever
All pilgrims coming from countries or areas at risk of infection with yellow fever must present a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate showing that the person was vaccinated at least 10 days and at most 10 years prior to arrival at the border,
In other cases, the pilgrim is placed under observation for 6 days.
Countries or areas with a high risk of yellow fever transmission:
- Argentina
- Brazil
- Gambia
- Ghana
- Sudan
- Suriname
- Togo
- Ecuador
- Burkina Faso
Find all countries from here
Meningococcal Meningitis
External pilgrims are required to present a certificate of vaccination with the quadrivalent (ACYW135) vaccine against meningitis, issued prior to arrival in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
In addition, the vaccination should be no more than 3 years old and no less than 10 days old.
Poliomyelitis
All pilgrims from polio-endemic countries and countries that re-established transmission (Afghanistan, Chad, Nigeria, and Pakistan) must receive one dose of OPV.
In addition to proof of polio vaccination at least 1 week before departure to Saudi Arabia.
Seasonal Influenza
The Saudi Ministry of Health recommends that international pilgrims be vaccinated against seasonal influenza before their arrival in Saudi Arabia, especially those who are at risk of contracting influenza, for example:
- Pregnant women.
- Children under 5 years old.
- The elderly.
- Anyone with underlying health conditions like HIV/AIDS, asthma, and chronic heart or lung disease.
To know more about the health requirements for Umrah visit the Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia website.
Tips to Protect Yourself During Umrah
To protect yourself from the transmission of any diseases, you must do some things, for example:
- If you suffer from any chronic health diseases or your physical health is weak, it is better to consult a doctor before going for Umrah.
- Wash your hands with soap and water or sanitizer, especially after coughing and sneezing.
- Use a disposable tissue when you cough or sneeze and dispose of it in the trash.
- Avoid hand contact with eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Avoid direct contact with people who have symptoms of illness such as coughing, sneezing, phlegm, vomiting, and diarrhea.
- Do not share your personal items with anyone else.
- Wear masks, especially when you are in crowded places.
- Maintain good personal hygiene.
In conclusion,
You can make your Umrah experience very special if you adhered to health and preventive instructions,
and prepared all your Umrah requirements before traveling.
