Is Fingerprints are Required for Visitors from the UK for Umrah Visa?
Who does not want to perform Umrah? You all know that Umrah is an important act of Islam. The number of Umrah pilgrims is increasing throughout the year. Every year many Muslims from Britain travel to Saudi Arabia to join the holy pilgrimage. However, the Kingdom is changing the pilgrimage policies day by day. The ministry has announced that "fingerprints are required for visitors from the UK for Umrah visa".
In this era, booking an Umrah package from a reputed travel agency ensures the successful completion of your Umrah. These reservations include adequate facilities including issuance of visas. Without a visa, Saudi will not allow you to enter the glorious kingdom. Every single country has restrictions on granting visas to tourists. Let's understand what Saudi Arabia is expecting from UK visitors for visa allocation.
UK Umrah pilgrims will have to submit their fingerprints for visa issuance
The Saudi ministry continuously eases restrictions in relation to Umrah 2023 to improve the number of pilgrims. Whatever the Saudi ministry decides, it provides a comfort zone for the visiting Muslims to perform their religious duty.
After referring to the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, pilgrims will have to obtain an electronic Umrah Visa and submit their biometric details including fingerprints. The Saudi ministry has already released a list of 5 countries on which the above ban will apply.
A list of 5 countries is:
UK
Tunisia
Kuwait
Bangladesh
Malaysia
How do you verify fingerprints for an Umrah Visa?
For those who want to register their fingerprints for Umrah Visa, “Saudi Visa Bio” application will be mandatory. Interested persons will have to download the app and provide their fingerprints and photo biometrics to register for the pilgrimage visa.
Umrah Packages 2023 from UK – Guide on Travel to Umrah
The app was created last year to fulfill the commitment of enabling biometrics enrollment through mobile devices. So that the pilgrims can avoid physically visiting the visa centers in Makkah. Also, it makes the state the first in the world to accept mobile biometrics for visa issuance
Process of verifying fingerprints:
Here is the brief instruction to verify the biometric and fingerprint verification:
First, download the required apps
Then select visa category
After that scan the passport for the rest of the process
After this the applicant has to use the front camera to take a picture of the full face
Match captured shot with passport photograph to verify identity
Finally, electronically scan 10 fingerprints
Umrah e-visa requirements for Visitors from the UK
The basic requirements to apply for Umrah e-Visa are:
Recent passport photograph
With a Valid passport with at least 6-8 months
An email address
A payment method for visa fee
Umrah e-visa rules for UK
- Adults under the age of 18 will not be able to provide Umrah Visa accompanied by family members.
- If someone is not a British citizen, they must show UK residency allowance.
- Applicants must hold a valid British passport to apply for an e-Visa.
- Pilgrims have to verify their fingerprints in the online application.
- Now there is no need for a PCR test.
- Saudi Arabia Visa For UK Residents: Visa Application, Fees
Can Umrah be performed without having an Umrah Visa?
Yes, you can do a minor pilgrimage on a tourist visa. It also has many advantages as compared to Umrah Visa. For example, it is issued with multiple entries and allows you to stay longer. However, it is easier to obtain an Umrah visa than a tourist visa, and applying through a registered travel agency increases your chances of success. With a tourist visa, you can only perform Umrah, not Haj.
The Saudi government has opened the doors of the Sultanate for Umrah for all visa holders.
You will need to have your fingerprints scanned for the visa processing to be complete. If you cannot do this, your e-Visa issuance will not likely be successful. Remember, this restriction is only for 5 countries including the UK. Book your Umrah package from the UK from an ATOL protected Agency, it will instruct you about this update. Make sure to meet the visa requirements for a successful trip.
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