ISLAMABAD – The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah unveiled plans to issueelectronic individual Umrah visas for certain categories of people,according to a senior official of the ministry.
Abdul Aziz Wazan, undersecretary of the ministry for Umrah affairs said,the individuals can apply for Umrah visas directly without approaching therespective Saudi diplomatic missions.
“We want to ensure comfortable stay of pilgrims during their pilgrimage inKingdom starting from embarkation to visits of holy sites, performingrituals and up to return to home,” he said .
He said that e-visa is linked and integrated by various government agenciesand would also enable the ministry to track the services provided topilgrims.
“We will emphasize upon the adoption of the electronic visa system duringthe agreements,” he added.
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He further explained , with the new electronic visa system, pilgrim dataand images will be scanned and their entire itinerary, involved with allstake holders, is just fingertip away.
Wazan, who is also leader of the ministry office for realization of theKingdom’s Vision 2030, made the remarks while addressing a workshop on“First phase of electronic visa” in Jeddah, Saudi Gazette reported .
Officials of the ministry, represented by its Agency for Umrah Affairs andthe office for realization of the Vision 2030, discussed withrepresentatives of the Umrah service providers about the preparations andarrangements for issuance of e-visas for individuals.
