Saudi Gazette report

 

JEDDAH — Around 953,000 Umrah performers have arrived so far in the Kingdom while 516,000 have left since the beginning of the Umrah season in December 2013, according to Ministry of Haj statistics.



The number of Umrah visas issued for this season has reached 1.7 million, the report said.



These figures reflect the success the ministry’s operational plan has achieved in reducing the number of visa overstayers compared to previous years thanks to the new Umrah electronic system that tracks the movement of all visitors entering and leaving the Kingdom.



In a statement, Haj Minister Bandar Hajar said the system links the ministry with the ministries of interior and foreign affairs as well as 48 local licensed Umrah companies and 2,000 agents all over the world.



Before the system came into existence, the process of issuing visas used to take over two weeks while the services offered to Umrah performers used to be of medium quality.



However, the visa issuance process takes a few minutes now the system has been enforced.



If the record of a company shows that it has 500 overstayers who have not left the country, it will be suspended and remain out of operation until it rectifies the problem.



Each company has to submit its operational plan showing the numbers of Umrah performers it is intending to bring over and their nationalities. The plan should cover the entire period of the Umrah season and ensure that all visitors have access to accommodation, transportation and catering services.



Hajar said the ministry monitors the performance of all companies that provide services to Umrah performers. It also imposes stricter penalties and fines on violators of its regulations.