In a major development for the Islamic community and travel sector in Ghana, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has officially introduced a new Multiple-Entry Umrah Visa.
The announcement, which promises to significantly streamline and ease the travel process for prospective pilgrims, was disclosed in an official statement released today by AMG Global Travel, a leading travel consultancy hub in Accra.
According to the management of AMG Global Travel, this policy shift forms part of Saudi Arabia’s ongoing strategic initiatives to enhance accessibility and facilitate the seamless arrival of Umrah pilgrims from across the globe into the Kingdom.
Key Features and Flexibility
The newly introduced visa regime departs from the traditional single-entry limitations, offering unprecedented flexibility for pilgrims who wish to perform the lesser pilgrimage multiple times a year.
● One-Year Validity: The visa remains valid for a full 365 days from the exact date of its issuance.
● 90-Day Stay Limit: Holders are permitted to stay in the Kingdom for a maximum cumulative period of 90 days within the validity period. Each visit progressively reduces the remaining allowable days based on the actual time spent in the country.
● Subsequent Entry Protocols: For second and subsequent trips under the same visa, pilgrims do not need to reapply for a visa from scratch. However, they must purchase an approved service package and secure an official Umrah permit through the specialized Nusuk mobile application before embarking on the pilgrimage.
Strict Adherence to Seasonal Restrictions
While the multiple-entry visa offers vast operational freedom, authorities have placed strict legal boundaries regarding its usage during the annual Hajj pilgrimage season.
The management emphasizes that visa holders must strictly comply with approved seasonal regulations to avoid heavy immigration penalties. Specifically, multiple-entry Umrah visa holders are strictly prohibited from remaining in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia during the peak Hajj operations window, which spans from 1st Dhul-Qi’dah to 13th Dhul-Hijjah.
“AMG Global Travel urges all prospective pilgrims to thoroughly familiarize themselves with these new conditions,” stated Hajj Abdel-Manan Abdel-Rahman, Group CEO of AMG Global Group. “Ensuring full compliance with these regulatory frameworks is vital to avoid any form of inconvenience, deportation, or violation of Saudi immigration laws.”
Local Support and Facilitation
To ensure that Ghanaian pilgrims transit smoothly into this new regime without facing digital hurdles on the Nusuk app, AMG Global Travel has deployed dedicated agents at its Kokomlemle headquarters to offer step-by-step guidance.
“Our specialized agents are fully available to provide immediate clarification, technical assistance regarding the new visa policy, personalized travel arrangements, and customized Umrah packages,” the Group CEO added. “We remain unyielding in our core commitment to providing safe, reliable, and professional Umrah services to all our cherished clients.”
Industry experts project that this development will trigger a significant rise in the number of Ghanaian Muslims embarking on year-round spiritual journeys, while substantially cutting down the recurring administrative costs associated with single-entry visa acquisitions.
