On Tuesday local time, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah officially announced that foreign pilgrims aged 12 and over had been allowed to enter the Kingdom to perform Umrah.
The decision results from the revocation of the previous decision, which stipulates that only foreign pilgrims aged 18 years and above were allowed to perform the pilgrimage.
The new directive allows all the citizens and residents of the Kingdom as well as citizens of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and foreign pilgrims aged 12 years and above to get permission to perform Umrah, prayer at the Grand Mosque in Makkah and Al-Rawdah Al-Sharif at Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah, and visit the grave of Prophet Muhammad SAW.
Foreigners aged 12 years and above can apply for a permit as long as their health status is “immune” in the Taakkalna application, even if they use different types of visas.
The Ministry also explained the procedures that must be passed by pilgrims coming from GCC countries and other countries worldwide. Before entering the Kingdom, GCC citizens must first register proof of their vaccination status on the Muqeem platform.
After arriving in the Kingdom, they must immediately register themselves on the Tawakkalna and Eatmarna applications. If the Tawakkalna application has finished updating the health status, they can book permits for Umrah and prayer at the Grand Mosque and Al-Rawdah Al-Sharif and visit the Prophet’s grave.
Meanwhile, those who come from abroad using various types of visas must register proof of their vaccine status on the Qudoom platform before entering Saudi Arabia. They can start ordering permits for Umrah, praying, and visiting through the Tawakkalna and Eatmarna applications.
Two weeks ago, the maximum age limit of 50 years as a prerequisite for pilgrims coming to perform Umrah from outside the Kingdom was canceled by the Ministry; however, foreign pilgrims under 18 are still prohibited from performing Umrah.
While all domestic pilgrims aged 12 years and above can perform Umrah and prayer at the Two Holy Mosques on the condition that they have been vaccinated with two doses of the coronavirus vaccine.
