How to Get an Umrah Visa from the USA?

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Umrah is one of the most soul-lifting acts of worship for Muslims. It has enormous rewards, which makes believers yearn to perform it. The pilgrimage allows Muslims to be Allah Almighty’s guests and please Him. If you want to take advantage of this exceptional opportunity to be closer to the Almighty, you should know how to get an Umrah visa from the USA. 

You must have a clear understanding of the visa requirements and application process before applying for it. This will help you save a lot of inconvenience and make the process easier for you. If you have availed of the Umrah package, you might get an Umrah visa as it is a part of all-inclusive Umrah packages. 

Visa Options for US Citizens 

Even though every foreign pilgrim must have an Umrah visa to enter the region to perform the pilgrimage, there is another option for US citizens. Saudi Arabia allows citizens of forty-nine countries to perform Umrah with the tourist eVisa. 

So, as a US citizen, you will have the following visa options;

  • Umrah Visa 

Saudi Arabia issues Umrah visas explicitly to Muslims who want to perform this minor pilgrimage. It is an exclusive visa and is not given to the non-Muslims. Therefore, an Umrah visa might be ideal if you want to visit the sacred cities of Mecca and Medina. 

  • Requirements 

Muslims worldwide must get an Umrah visa to visit the region and perform this voluntary pilgrimage. They cannot participate in religious activities and, with a few exceptions, mainly perform Umrah without any other kind of visa. 

  • Application Process

The Umrah visa application process is quite lengthy and frustrating. It can take a lot of time. You must also visit the local Saudi Embassy and hire a professional Umrah travel agency to assist you.

  • Number of Allowed Entries

This exclusive visa allows only a single entry in the region. 

  • Additional Benefits 

As the Umrah visa is exclusive, you also get various exclusive pilgrimage benefits. For example, you can take the sacred Zamzam water home, which is not permitted with any other kind of visa.

  • Tourist eVisa

The Saudi tourist eVisa is explicitly issued to people who want to visit the region for tourism or business purposes or even to visit their relatives. Muslims from some areas can also perform Umrah with this tourist visa when it is not the Hajj season. 

  • Requirements 

Citizens of forty-nine countries can perform Umrah with the tourist eVisa. USA is one of them. Therefore, as a US citizen, you can avail yourself of this much more convenient visa type for your spiritual journey. 

  • Application Process

The application process for the tourist eVisa is much more straightforward and more convenient. You can apply for this visa online if you are eligible. It is very convenient and less time-consuming than the Umrah visa application process. You will complete the tourist visa application process within a few minutes. 

  • Number of Allowed Entries

The tourist eVisa allows you to enter the region multiple times within a year and stay in the Kingdom for 90 days per visit. 

  • Additional Benefits

There are no additional benefits related to pilgrimage if you avail of this visa to perform Umrah. You will not be allowed to leave the region with Zamzam water. However, one of the primary advantages is that you can explore different areas of Saudi Arabia. With the Umrah visa, you are only allowed to enter Mecca, Medina, and Jeddah, which is not the case with this visa. 

How can You Apply for an Umrah Visa from the USA?

If you are curious how to get an Umrah visa from the USA, you must know that you can apply for this visa through the Saudi Embassy or a licensed Umrah travel agency. Here is the application process through both sources;

  • Through the Saudi Embassy in the USA

To apply for an Umrah visa through the Saudi Embassy, follow the following steps.

  • You must contact the Saudi Embassy and ask them about the requirements, especially the necessary documents. Then, prepare all your legal documents.
  • Go to the Embassy, pay the Umrah visa fees, and give an in-person interview or application. 
  • Register for official Saudi apps such as Tawakkalna and Nusuk.
  • Keep track of your application and visa progress.
  • Through Licensed Travel Agents

You must follow the steps below to apply for an Umrah visa through a travel agency.

  • Contact a reliable licensed travel agency.
  • Get your documents ready and submit them to the agency. They will handle the application process for you. 
  • Register on the official Umrah apps, including the Tawakkalna and Nusuk apps. 

Conclusion

As a citizen of the USA, you have two different options when it comes to visas to perform Umrah. However, an Umrah visa might be the best option for taking advantage of the unique pilgrimage benefits. You will know how to get an Umrah visa from the USA with the help of our informative guide. It is time to contact the Embassy or your Umrah travel agency and get the documents ready to apply for the visa.