Asked if there is any possibility of allowing visitor visa holders to perform Hajj in 2022. The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah clarified that only those who have a Hajj visa can perform Hajj 2022. This year, foreigners will perform Hajj through designated visas and locals will also perform but those, who have resided in the Kingdom. So, Visit Visa is not for Hajj 2022. The ministry also said that while booking Hajj Packages 2022, check whether your Hajj Visa is included in the packages or not.
The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has allowed one million Muslims to perform Hajj, but with certain conditions. If you are ineligible under certain conditions, do not waste your time and it is better to wait for next year.
What can a foreigner do on a visit visa?
Foreigners can visit the whole country on a visit visa with Umrah. But he cannot perform Hajj. This is the first time in Saudi Arabia that non-Muslims and Muslims can visit the kingdom without any discrimination. But non-Muslim visa holders cannot enter the area of Makkah and Masjid Nabavi. If he crosses this line out of curiosity, he will be fined.
Non-Muslims can visit other historical and holy places besides Mecca and Masjid Nabavi. They may enter Madinah for temporary accommodation and shopping. Islam does not prohibit non-Muslims from entering the mosque. In Europe and the United States, Muslims offer their prayers in churches, and non-Muslims visit mosques. And they even take part in the construction of the mosque building.
If we turn to Islamic history, we will find that the Prophet (peace be upon him) never closed the doors of the Prophet’s Mosque to non-Muslims. But today, due to security issues and other factors, it has been banned in both places.
The Saudi government has relaxed some rules for visitors. Since the visitor does not need any negative PCR test and if the passenger is above 18 years of age then no male relative is required.
The validity of a visit visa is one year with multiple entries. The visitor visa holder can only stay in Saudi Arabia for 3 months and then he has to leave the kingdom for the next arrival.
Hajj Visa:
This visa is always issued from mid-Shawwal to the 25th of Dhul-Qa’dah every year. This year’s Hajj dates fall between July 7 and 12. And a Muslim wishing to perform Hajj can stay with him in Saudi Arabia only on certain days of Hajj. It is hoped that the 25 Zul-Qaeda dates will come on June 24, 2022.
The Saudi government has already warned pilgrims not to pay visas to any suspicious web or fake agencies. Locals should not seek any guidelines for applying for a Hajj visa online or in-person from any agency other than the official website of Saudi Arabia. Holders of Hajj visas cannot travel to Saudi Arabia, for which they must obtain a visit visa.
The ministry had already announced Hajj quotas for all countries in April last year. This time the number of pilgrims is 1 million which is much more than in the last 2 years. It may be recalled that the Saudi government had allowed only 60,000 pilgrims to perform Hajj in 2021.
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Hajj 2022 Quota list:
1. Indonesia: 100,051
2. Pakistan: 81,132
3. India: 79,237
4. Bangladesh: 57,585
5. Nigeria: 43,008
6. Iran: 38,481
7. Turkey: 37,770
8. Egypt: 35,375
9. Afghanistan: 13,582
10. Russia: 11,318
11. UK: 12,348
12. USA: 9,504
13. France: 9,268
14. China: 9,190
15. Thailand: 5,885
16. Ukraine: 91
17. Angola: 23
Restrictions on Hajj pilgrims:
It is very difficult for the Saudi government to handle 1 million pilgrims. But it is not impossible for them because 2.5 million pilgrims used to perform Hajj every year before the spread of the code. The ministry has lifted many restrictions, but the PCR test, covid vaccine and age restrictions apply this year. Pilgrims need 2 vaccines for COVID but they should be administered from the right centres.
It is recommended to take a negative PCR test before leaving your homeland for Hajj. And this test will be done within 72 hours of departure.
The government will not allow people over the age of 65 to perform Hajj in 2022. Therefore, they will not get a Hajj visa this year. But children under the age of 5 can come but they will not take part in Hajj activities with their parents.
Overview:
A visit visa is not for Hajj 2022, so Muslims will need a special visa for this trip. The ministry is urging Muslims to check their Hajj packages to see if they include Hajj visas. Pilgrims can perform Hajj after the PCR test is negative. Seniors over 65 cannot perform this year.
