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Post by almostcheerful on May 7, 2012 15:34:30 GMT
Is there any restriction to perform Hajj or pilgrim (visiting Mecca) more than once in 5 years span? I heard that local Saudias or Muslim Expats are only allowed once in 5 years span?
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Post by SugarLandTX on May 7, 2012 15:55:29 GMT
Generally Hajj once in 5 years. No limit and no special permission required for Umrah.
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Post by almostcheerful on May 7, 2012 16:02:34 GMT
Thanks for answering it alreaday but still need to know....
What is the criteria to determined that how many times somopne travell for Hajj. I mean Mecca is a part of Saudi land and no passport or Visa required to visit inside Saudi land?
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Post by azraeil on May 9, 2012 5:07:49 GMT
There is a Hajj permit given but usually if you perform the Hajj using an approved Hajj agent, then you can actually go every year if you'd like. The 5 year requirement are usually not enforced. My friend goes to the Hajj every year, The Hajj leave given by Aramco though only applies after you have completed the 2 year service with Aramco. All other times, taking a bridging leave is enough.
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Post by almostcheerful on May 9, 2012 16:07:18 GMT
Thanks Azraeil, Good to know that by using Hajj agent no more restrcition for 5 years period.
Two more questions.
1) What type of (single or multiple) Visa granted to the Expat's sponsored parents and how long (maximum days) parents can stay in KSA?
2) Are parents allowed to accompnay for Hajj?
Thanks in advance for answering above questions.
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Post by rookie on May 11, 2012 6:29:47 GMT
ANS 1) on a general basis, 90 days can be extended by requesting but I think cannot go beyond 180 days.
ANS 2) I am not sure, but it is highly improbable becoz your visitors dont get a permit for Hajj since they dont have an iqama. It is better to go with a tour operator here for yourself but as I said parents visiting dont get a hajj permit. Still please confirm it when you are here
1) What type of (single or multiple) Visa granted to the Expat's sponsored parents and how long (maximum days) parents can stay in KSA?
2) Are parents allowed to accompnay for Hajj?
Thanks in advance for answering above questions.[/quote]
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Post by GroveWanderer on May 11, 2012 14:08:22 GMT
1) Depends on the nationality of the parents. Whenever my parents have come here (UK nationality) I was given to understand they might get anything from a 1 to a 3-month single visit visa - they were never given more than one month.
At the other end of the scale, US passport holders can get up to a 5-year multiple visit visa. This seems to be based on the principle of reciprocity - Saudi visitors to the US can also get 5-year visit visas.
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Post by almostcheerful on May 11, 2012 14:59:06 GMT
Many thanks to those who answered my questions.
My parents are Canadain and as you mentioned they might get 5 years mutiple visa. I concluded through this discussion that parents can't even perform Umra (visting Mecca or Medina) because they are not eleigibel for getting Iqama.
I thought Expat's Iqama is good for the entire family including visting parents but seems like the parents can't leave SA compund as a vistior status.
Is there any other way to get temporary Iqma for visiting parents for the purpose of Umra or Hajj?
Thanks all again!
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Post by azraeil on May 12, 2012 5:10:21 GMT
Your Parents will come in on a visit visa and they can travel to any place in Saudi Arabia except performing the Hajj during the Hajj period.
They can perform the Umrah and visit Medina anytime they want while they are here (Hajj restriction applies). Iqama is not needed to perform the umrah. This is actually advantageous because after the Hajj period, no Umrah visa will be given out for 2 months after the Hahh thus, Makkah and Madinah will be quite empty. If your Parents are here during the period, they can then perform the Umrah with no-one (well almost no-one) there.
Previously, when the bird flu scare occurred in 2009, Hajj agents were allowed to bring Parents of residency holders for the Hajj but after 2009, once the full quota of Hajj from all over the world was filled, the requirement reverted back to status quo.
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Post by almostcheerful on May 12, 2012 20:14:51 GMT
Thanks Azraeil.
This is great information. At least Umra is allowed which is indeed a great advantage for visting parents especillay after Hajj period. It mean in order to perform Hajj parents has to get Hajj visa from their origin of travelling.
One thing I want to know, if for Umra no Iqama is required and vistor can move freely inside KSA then what make a difference during Hajj time? Is therre any check points where visitor are restricted to enter in Mecca or Medina? Who is going to check while someone is travelling by road?
May be asking too much but I have to make decison right now as I was about to pay Hajj fee this year for my parents and for myself when I got interview call from SA and currently waiting for an offer letter after passing an interview. I am not even sure how long this process will take and I may get a chance to perform Hajj this year or not. Onloy Allha knows the Best!
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Post by azraeil on May 13, 2012 5:12:08 GMT
During the Hajj period, there will be massive checkpoints where the authorities will check everyone for the hajj permit. This is usually handled by the agency (thus, the reason why they will not accept your parents as part of the Hajj group).
I personally believe that if it is time for you to perform the Hajj, then no obstacles will be able to stop you from doing it.
The hiring process can be long, so you need to take that into consideration as well.
Good Luck!
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Post by almostcheerful on May 13, 2012 10:55:19 GMT
Thanks brother for answering all concerns. It's really a great forum because of great people like you.  |
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Post by GroveWanderer on May 13, 2012 11:24:00 GMT
They do check people travelling by road to Makkah (and probably Madinah). Every approach road to Makkah has a permanent check-point. I've never got too close to one (I always took the non-Muslim bypass) though I've seen them from a distance. From what I gather, all vehicles are stopped and all occupants are checked.
For instance, when travelling from Jeddah along the road to Makkah, before long you come to massive blue signs informing you that only Muslims can continue towards Makkah and all non-Muslims must turn off, on the road that goes to Taif. At the point where the roads diverge, you can see the checkpoint ahead on the main Jeddah-Makkah highway.
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Post by GroveWanderer on Sept 4, 2013 12:04:38 GMT
It seems that this year they are planning to strictly enforce the limitations on performing Haj if you live in kingdom - and the penalties are quite severe! "Foreign violators caught performing Haj without permit would be immediately deported and banned from entering the Kingdom for ten years." www.arabnews.com/news/463207 |
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