Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities has approved a one-month extension for Egyptian citizens to register for the Umrah pilgrimage during the current Hijri year 1445 AH.
The deadline has now been set for June.
However, this extension is contingent upon the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah in Saudi Arabia continuing to issue visas for Umrah performers worldwide throughout the year.
The Egyptian Umrah Portal, an online platform that organizes Umrah affairs, will continue to issue Umrah barcodes – an identification that confirms the validity of the Umrah visa – to Egyptian pilgrims until the end of the current Umrah season, according to a circular distributed to tourism companies.
The Umrah season typically ends before the start of the Hajj (the greater pilgrimage) of the same Hijri year.
This year, the Hajj pilgrims will begin performing the rituals on 8 Dhu al-Hijjah, the 12th month of the Islamic Hijri calendar, which falls on 14 June 2024.
The kingdom will start receiving Hajj trips as of May.
As of
mid-March, the number of Egyptian pilgrims has already reached 750,000, according to Ahmed Waheed, an official from the Egyptian Tourism Federation.
The figure is expected to reach 900,000 during the current season, he added.
He mentioned that Umrah packages for Egyptians range from around EGP 30,000 for economic class itineraries to up to EGP 65,000 for five-star accommodations.
To obtain an Umrah visa, it is essential to possess a valid passport with at least six months of validity beyond the intended stay in Saudi Arabia.
additionally, a clean criminal record with no convictions for serious crimes, proof of meningitis and other required vaccinations, and comprehensive travel insurance that covers the duration of the stay are necessary.
Furthermore, it is important to note that joining an approved Umrah service provider is mandatory for undertaking the pilgrimage.
Source: State Information Service Egypt