Saudi Arabia Introduces 96-Hour Stopover Visa for Indian Travelers, Expands Umrah Visa Accessibility
Indian citizens can now obtain a 96-hour stopover visa and Umrah visas with faster processing times, announces Saudi Arabian Minister of Hajj and Umrah during Delhi visit
In a significant development, Saudi Arabia has unveiled new visa provisions for Indian travelers, including a 96-hour stopover visa and expedited visa issuance within 48 hours. The announcement was made by Saudi Arabian Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah, during his visit to Delhi.
Minister Al-Rabiah shared that Indians traveling to Western Asia or the Middle East can now acquire a stopover visa for 96 hours as part of the ticket issuance process. This visa enables them to perform Umrah and explore various cities within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Highlighting the surge in the number of Umrah pilgrims from India, Minister Al-Rabiah disclosed that the figures surpassed 1.2 million in 2023, marking a substantial 74 percent increase compared to 2022. The minister also expressed ongoing discussions between the two nations to expand direct flight options, accommodating the growing number of Indian pilgrims.
During his visit to Delhi, Minister Al-Rabiah held discussions with India’s External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar. The talks encompassed matters related to the seamless facilitation of the Hajj pilgrimage by Indian nationals and the strengthening of bilateral ties.
In a post on X, Minister Jaishankar stated that the Haj Committee of India aims to engage in discussions about increasing India’s Hajj pilgrimage quota during Al-Rabiah’s visit. Under the 2023 Hajj quota, approximately 175,000 Indians undertook the pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia. The agenda includes exploring the possibility of enhancing the existing Hajj quota from 175,025 to at least 200,000.
The move to introduce a 96-hour stopover visa and streamline Umrah visa processing reflects Saudi Arabia’s efforts to facilitate travel for Indian citizens, further fostering cultural and religious exchanges between the two nations.
