A Khaleej Times feature explains how Saudi Arabia’s newly launched one-year multiple-entry Umrah visa fits alongside existing tourist- and single-entry Umrah visas, offering UAE-based Muslims greater flexibility to perform the pilgrimage several times a year. Local travel consultants break down costs, processing times and permissible stay durations for each option. The new visa, priced around AED 600–650, allows up to 90 days of cumulative stay within 12 months and is processed in roughly two business days—significantly faster than comparable tourist visas. Agents highlight that regardless of visa category, pilgrims must still register on Saudi Arabia’s Nusuk platform and upload itinerary details before departure. For UAE employers whose staff travel frequently to the Kingdom, the visa could reduce admin overhead by eliminating repeated applications. HR teams should, however, remind employees that the visa is religion-specific and cannot be used for non-Umrah business activities; separate commercial visas remain mandatory for that purpose. Mobility managers should also note that while the UAE does not impose re-entry restrictions on residents travelling to Saudi Arabia, extended stays could still trigger the six-month residency-abroad rule. Coordinating pilgrimage leave with assignment calendars will avoid inadvertent residency lapses. The report underscores growing regional visa liberalisation designed to spur religious tourism, with ripple effects on GCC cross-border travel patterns and demand for flexible leave policies in the UAE.
Source: Khaleej Times
