Duration of Stay on Umrah Visa
I have booked return flight tickets with Saudia Airlines for Umrah during Ramadan.
The duaration of my stay would be 3 weeks.
Now the Travel Agent is syaing that even though visa validity for 30 days is stamped on the Umrah Visa, I can't stay that long (3 weeks) in Saudi.
The Travel Agents are looting the pilgrims in broad daylight and minting money through Umrah Visas. The one I visited near Sana R/A is saying that, even if 30 Days validity is written on the visa. the maximum time I can spend in Saudi during Ramzan is 10 days !!! and telling me to modify the flight reservation.
I have to return within 12 days from the date of visa issue, so that he can arrange 3 trips for the Umrah aspirants. He cant apply visa for the next batch unless I return from Saudi. I understand that I should not snatch away the opportunity from others to perform Umrah by, but if Saudi Governemtn has no problem and issuing visa with 30 days validity, then who are these agents to force us to come before the expiry ??? Why is Government not keeping check on the malpractices of the travel agents ??? The other Travel agents I called is insisting
Please let me know if this infomration is correct and whether can I spend three week's during Ramdan in Saudi or not.
Check with some Hajj & Umrah agents and see what they have to say on this. Yes, you are right that all bookings must be made much in advance due to the rush during Ramadhan.
Thanks .. But one needs to book the flight tickets and book hotel while applying for Visa.
I have already booked the flight tickets fearing the unavailability of seats during the peak season.
This was the rule last year too, even if your visa said 30 days, you could stay for 15 days only.
What your agent is saying may not be necessarily wrong.
Have you already received your visa ? If not i do not recommend you to book your tickets yet as the issue of Ramdhan Umra visas maybe very unpredictable.