Haj 2025: Saudi Arabia announces deadline for Umrah pilgrims to enter, leave country
The final date to enter Saudi Arabia for pilgrims to the holy cities is April 13, the Ministry of Haj and Umrah said.
This move comes as part of preparations for Haj season, authorities added. The final date for pilgrims to depart is April 29. The Ministry confirmed that staying after this date is a violation, subject to legal penalties.
For those performing Umrah, it is essential to get a visa to the country, and then secure an Umrah permit via the Nusuk app. Those performing the pilgrimage must also be vigilant to ensure they avail services from licensed operators.
These operators must be approved by the General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowments; individuals, campaign organisers, and offices will be fined up to Dh50,000 for violating the law.
When performing Umrah, pilgrims must also select a time slot for the pilgrimage; only one slot is allowed per day.
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Khaleej Times
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Khaleej Times
5 days ago
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Etihad Salam Telecom Company announces exclusive new visitor's line for Hajj and Umrah pilgrims
Visitor 59 Package: Offers up to 12GB of data and 15GB od social media data and minutes for calls and SMS. Priced at 59 + VAT SAR for 14 days. International coverage at competitive prices. Visitor 89 Package: Offers up to 20GB of data, unlimited social access, and significant minutes for calls and SMS. Priced at 89 + VAT.35 SAR for 28 days. Competitive rates with coverage in 40 countries. Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: Etihad Salam Telecom Company, a leading provider of telecommunications services in Saudi Arabia, today unveiled a new Visitor's Line for Hajj and Umrah pilgrims. Through unique packages with built-in social media connectivity, the offering will ensure that pilgrims can focus on their spiritual journey with seamless and stress-free connectivity. As part of its economic diversification strategy, Saudi Arabia has set a goal to host 30 million pilgrims by 2030, with more than 18.5 million pilgrims from outside Saudi Arabia performing Hajj and Umrah in 2024 alone. Initiatives like the Pilgrim Experience Program is enhancing efforts to facilitate more Umrah visitors and improve access to the Holy Mosques, further supporting the country's hospitality goals. Recent trends indicate a shift towards a heightened reliance on data for sharing experiences and staying connected. The Communications, Space, and Technology Commission (CST) observed notable telecommunications activity among pilgrims at the holy sites during Eid Al-Adha in 2024, reporting 44.8 million voice calls with a success rate exceeding 99%. In the same period, data usage soared to 5.79 petabytes (PB), underscoring the increasing reliance on digital connectivity. Furthermore, the average daily data consumption per individual reached 779.93 MB, significantly exceeding the global average of 380 MB. [1] Understanding the evolving needs of today's pilgrims, Etihad Salam has created its plans to serve the heightened dependence on data and reduced need for international calling. The newly launched offerings come packed with generous data limits, social media usage, and ample flex minutes for local calls within Saudi Arabia and 40 global destinations. Amr Eldesouky, Chief Consumer Officer at Etihad Salam Telecom Company said: "At Etihad Salam Telecom Company, we believe in facilitating Hajj and Umrah with seamless connectivity, allowing our customers to focus on their spiritual path without worldly distractions. Our new Visitor's Line is designed to ensure that pilgrims from around the globe can share their profound moments and stay connected, embodying our core value of offering peace of mind. With our plans, pilgrims are not just connected, they are cared for, at every step of their journey." As pilgrims prefer utilizing data for sharing visuals and leveraging instant messaging for quick communications, Etihad Salam's unique offering includes social media in entry-level packages ensures that pilgrims can share their sacred moments without constraints, a first in the market. The packages stand out for their unparalleled inclusivity, covering an expansive list of countries, catering to the diverse nationalities that participate in Hajj and Umrah each year. The tailored plans, coupled with a deep understanding of the demographic's connectivity needs, places Etihad Salam as the go-to telecom partner for pilgrims from across the globe. About Etihad Salam Telecom Company Etihad Salam Telecom Company is one of the leading national companies in Saudi Arabia's telecommunications and information technology sector. Recognized as the Kingdom's fastest-growing and most innovative telecom brand, Salam has operated one of the region's most established telecom networks since 2005. The company provides cutting-edge ICT solutions for businesses, government entities, and carriers locally and internationally, along with fixed and mobile services supporting Saudi Arabia's digital transformation. As a key enabler of Saudi Vision 2030, Salam offers advanced telecommunications, cloud computing, data centers, and digital infrastructure. Its subsidiaries, Salam Mobile Telecom Company and Technical Links Services (TLS) ensure the delivery of innovative solutions and seamless connectivity across the Kingdom. For more information, please visit: [1] Saudi Arabia sees 73% rise in international visitors in 2024, leading G20 tourism growth - Fast Company Middle East | The future of tech, business and innovation.
