I receive a lot of emails asking me this question. So I decided to do an FAQ to help you out. In my book I do recommend one for the UK which I used, however there is another way to find information with regards to Umrah visas.
The best way to find reliable and approved Umrah visa agents is the respective Saudi embassy of your country. Saudi Arabia and every country have their own embassy website with information regarding that particular country.
Under their Umrah visa section, they will have the names of the approved agents in this country that you can contact. This is the shortest and best way to find an agent that you know will be able to deliver and that has already been vetted by the Hajj and Umrah ministry.
This applies to all countries. You will have to find the website for your respective country and research it. Saudi embassy websites are not the best-designed websites and expect they might crash, however it shouldn’t take you more than a few minutes.
If you want to find the details for agents in the UK and US then you will have to Google them sadly. For some reason when the UK-Saudi embassy changed their page they removed their link.
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It is also important to note a few things:
- Usually the agents will try and convince you that they cannot issue only visas. This is not the case and you shouldn’t give up. You don’t have to take a package in order to perform Umrah. This is where agents make money and they will try and sell you their packages first.
- A client and a friend recently used one of the agents in the US and it turned out that they received their visas only a day before their flight! Apparently many agencies do this in the US and they work on the most urgent cases first. For me this is too risky and I would keep contact with the agency. In the UK I have used Prince Visa and they sent me my visa 2 weeks in advance which was brilliant as it was one less thing to worry about. If you are in the UK you can receive 15% discount off your next Umrah visa by quoting ‘MuslimTravelGirl’ when you book with Prince Visa.
- You don’t have to send your passport more than 3-4 weeks in advance, since your visa countdown starts from the day it is stamped and it’s valid for 30 days or 14 days during Ramadan.
- Visa prices are very volatile and it really depends on the time of the year. During Ramadan they cost £300, which is crazy in my opinion. However off peak they should cost £100-150/$200-$300 maximum. If they quote higher prices then check with other agencies.
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Can You Get An Umrah Visa After Ramadan?
The Truth About Umrah Visas…Are They Really Free?
Your Guide To Umrah Visas
What To Do If You Ever Need An Emergency Visa For Saudi Arabia
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An Umrah Photo Journey from Mekkah to Medina
Fatima
Can A single girl on business visa can go for Umrah.
Muslim Travel Girl
I am not familiar with this sorry.
Ahmidah
I am sporean living in jb with husband n son who is m’sian. I want to go saudi for umrah with my husband n son. Can i apply visa in malaysia. Iam singapore passport holder with more than five years holding long term visa in malaysia. Tks.
Muslim Travel Girl
If you have residency and correct visa, yes you can. Ask your local agent
Kashif
Assalaamu’alaykum,
Jazak’Allah for sharing your discount code for 20% off. However, having looked at the Saudi Embassy list of approved travel agents, Prince Travel is nowhere to be found?
I appreciate they are efficient and seem to have good reviews, but surely an approved agent would be the better option? Or have I missed something…?
Muslim Travel Girl
They are approved and the authority that issues them is diff than the company name. They are very long established and provide services to other agents. You can ring and ask them.
Omer Bashir
Salam
I have booked an Umrah package in the last month of December from Germany. I am not sure how long the agent will keep my passport. Since I am a foreigner here in Germany and the agent also has my German Residence card, I have virtually nothing to stay in Germany.
My agent told me he would give me passport back in December. Isn’t it too long for the Umrah agent to keep my documents?
Regards
Omer Bashir
Muslim Travel Girl
You should not give your passport or residence for so long. Usually, 3 -4 weeks before travel is enough in the UK. So not sure about Germany but to me it sounds a lot especially when you need the papers.
Maryam
Salaam,
Can you recommend some agency in uk which will be able to help me with just the umrah visa?
How do I go about the DIY umrah.. would be very grateful if you could guide me with this thanks
Muslim Travel Girl
Salams yes, Prince Visa in London, if you search here you will see that they offer 20% discount for MTG readers just mention when you call them.
HANIF SURAIYA
Sallam D
I AM A SWEDISH NATIONAL…..I WANT TO TRAVEL FOR UMRA MY SELF….EMBASSY DO NOT GIVE ANSWER’
IF IF BOOKED HOTEL, CAN I GET UMRA VISA?
HANIF
Muslim Travel Girl
You need an Umrah agent in Sweden to issue you with a visa. After that you can book your hotels and flights. You cannot ask for an Umrah from the embassy, they only deal with agents and not people.
badrul huda
i am living in japan.i would like to perform umrah in the end of december.how could i apply for visa.
Muslim Travel Girl
You will have to find an agent in Japan to offer you a visa inshaAllah for Umrah. You cannot apply on your own.
Zain
Hi
I want to perform umrah in 2017 from the uk. Is Feb/March the best time to go? when should I do my visa? and booking the umrah package? There are 4 of us going and it’s our first time. Please help.
Zain
Muslim Travel Girl
Salams Zain,
You should book your visa about 1 month before you travel. If you are booking an umrah package with an agency i recommend you find the best deal as soon as possible. They usually have early bird offers. If you are booking on your own a DIY Umrah option I would recommend you book your hotels and flights when you decide on your dates. Feb and March are good times to go since it is not too busy. Usually, busiest times are the holidays like Christmas, Easter and also school holidays. If you avoid those from the UK you should find some good deals.
I hope this helps.
Elena
Aneela
I am in USA on research scholar visa from Pakistan. I want to perform Umrah when i am going back to Pakistan. My brother is in Saudi Arabia i also want to visit him in that time period. so should i apply for Umrah visa or visit visa? Guide me in this regard.
Muslim Travel Girl
Salams Aneela,
I am not sure how this will work for you because you cannot perform Umrah on a visiting visa and on Umrah visa you need hotels booked. The best option for you is to call an agency in the USA to answer the question for you. Elena
Sara
Hi!
I just came back from Umrah and just wanted to say I found your website VERY helpful! I particularity wanted to write to you about my experience with the company Prince Visa. The company is extremely professional and efficient. I was very worried about the length of time they would need my passport however they managed to get my visa within 1 day (although they say it can take up to 10 working days). The only thing I would mention is the discount they give is 10% not 15% when quoting MuslimTravelGirl however they are still well worth the money! Thank you so much for all your help!
Muslim Travel Girl
Salams Sara,
I am so happy that you had a great experience with them. 🙂
The discount code is 15% there was some confusion which we have sorted now, so thank you for pointing this to me, I appreciate it. may Allah accept your Umrah
Sonia
Aslamualaikum,
Does the agency have to be approved by the ministry of Hajj, or is that just an option to go through an approved agency?
Muslim Travel Girl
It is better is they are long established and approved agency. Simply so you are more protected, we have seen many time people selling visas and scamming people.
Sonia
Thank you for your reply. Would you happen to know the answer to the following. I am really concerned about meeting visa requirements.
The surname on my passport is different to all other documents. I got married and changed my surname hence all other documents are on my married surname. If I provide my marriage certificate as proof of name change would this be OK to get the visa? The name discrepancy is stressing me out and I’m due to submit all documents soon.
Hend
I am in the US and I am loving to perform Umrah in the last 10 days of Ramadan inshallah with my husband but we are looking for an agent who will help us get jut umrah visa ? Do you know someone by chance please ?
Muslim Travel Girl
i am aware there are some agents in NYC who issue visa. I would recommend for you to google them
Taz
Are you sure I cannot apply visa directly ? It says something about applying individually! What’s that about ?
Muslim Travel Girl
You will have to apply via an agent for your Umrah visa. You cannot go to the embassy alone and apply unfortunately.
Feroze salman
I only prvide my passport details to agent is that sufficient or something else is needed like original passport as well kindly advise
Muslim Travel Girl
For Umrah visa you need to provide them with your passport so they can attach the visa to it.
TK
So can you apply for a visa with the Saudi Embassy directly or not? If so how do you go about it?
Muslim Travel Girl
Unfortunately you cannot, you have to apply through an agent
fadi
salam and thank you.
my understanding that umar visa is for free from the suadi embassy but maybe you are talking about agency fees right?
fadi
Muslim Travel Girl
Yes you are correct. The visa is free from the embassy but the agents are free to charge any price they want unfortunately.