After many years, the question of “Can I go for Umrah After Ramadan” is always a regular one.
Now with the tourist visa available to some 49 countries for Saudi Arabia things have changed dramatically when it comes going for Umrah after Ramadan and before or after Hajj.
When Can you do Umrah
It is important to distinguish two things when we talk about when can you go for Umrah.
First, are you going on an Umrah visa OR are you going on a tourist visa and performing Umrah. There is a big difference in what you can and cannot do, so please read below!
Performing Umrah with an Umrah visa
For countries that cannot issue the tourist visa, you will have to either try and apply as a Category B ( you can read more about this in the tourist visa section) or you will need to issue an Umrah visa.
With an Umrah visa, the standard rules of the visa application which are different and a little less flexible.
You will need a mahram as a woman (currently for some countries, you also need a female companion for males!)
You will need to issue the visa and go within 30days
It is a single-entry visa and valid for 15 days stay in Saudi Arabia
You cannot issue a visa for Umrah yourself and you will need a registered agent to do this for you.
Umrah Visa applications close after the first two weeks in Ramadan, after the 14th of Ramadan you cannot issue an Umrah visa.
When does Umrah close: Umrah closes after the first two weeks in Ramadan and there are no more Umrah visas. They will reopen issuing visas again after Hajj.
The Umrah period starts approximately 1 month after Hajj.
There are no specific dates for this and no announcements, agents will get access to the system and start issuing visas usually a month after Hajj. In 2020 you can look into booking after 18th onwards, but since they are no specific dates I always prefer to wait once open.
MuslimTravelGirl gets the information about the first few days as some of the agents and we publish it here, so make sure you subscribe and keep an eye on our site.
For those issuing Umrah visa ONLY to go in Ramadan and you need to issue an Umrah visa a week before Ramadan.
Performing Umrah on a Tourist Visa
Now, If you belong to a country or a category B option where you can issue a tourist visa for Saudi Arabia you can also perform Umrah with it. The restrictions are less and there is good news!
Please note, the information below has been confirmed online with the official Visit Saudi website
According to the Saudi tourist visa rule, the only restriction you have on the visa is that you cannot perform Umrah during Hajj season, however, are able to go for Umrah after Ramadan.
There is no other limitation mention there.
Ramadan this year falls approximately between 23rd of April 2020 and 23rd of May 2020.
Who Can Go For Umrah Between Eid Al Fitr and Hajj
Umrah after Ramadan for those on Umrah visa is not available, as they Umrah visa closes the second week of Ramadan.
However, Umrah on tourist visas can be performed up until the Hajj Season.
As confirmed with the Visit Saudi website the Hajj Season in 2020 is from 21th June 2020 until 18th September 2020.
During that time Muslims on tourist visas will not be able to visit Makkah and perform Umrah. I would assume there will be more checks during this time so people don’t perform Hajj and turn into a problem.
Muslims can visit Medinah during the Hajj season.
Also, Muslim and non-Muslim tourists are welcome in the country to visit any other city.
I know one of the reasons why people want to go for Umrah after Eid Al Fitr is because hotel prices drop significantly. This is also the quietest time for Umrah.
Sadly the Hajj season is off limits but the good news is you can go for Umrah on the tourist visa after Ramadan and up until the start of the Hajj season 2020.
This will give you almost a month (23rd May to 21st June) to enjoy a quieter and cheaper Umrah after Ramadan 2020.
If you want more practicalities with regards to Umrah then make sure you check out our master DIY Umrah page for more.
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