Umrah is an act of worship and devotion that Muslims perform as a way of pilgrimage to the most noble city in Islam, i.e., Mecca. In the Arabic context, the literal meaning of umrah is “visiting a populated place”. In contrast to Hajj, which is a yearly Islamic pilgrimage and the 5th pillar of Islam, Umrah is commonly known as a “minor pilgrimage”.
Every year, a large number of Muslims perform the Umrah pilgrimage. Pilgrims select certain Umrah packages according to their requirements and ease.
Acquiring a good package for any of these 2 pilgrimages is one of the important requirements for a spiritual journey. The following are some required documents for the Umrah and Hajj pilgrimages that are discussed.
Application form
The foremost requirement to get an Umrah and Hajj visa is to submit an application form. The most important requirement for a pilgrimage is a visa. The application form is first understood and then signed by the pilgrim. For initiating an Umrah visa, submitting this form is crucial. Pilgrims can submit it on their own or through any travel agency.
Passport
Having a valid passport is compulsory for every pilgrim. The validity duration of the pilgrim’s passport should be according to specifications. Usually, that passport is considered valid for applying for a visa that has at least 6-7 months until its expiration.
Passport-Sized Picture
In general, 2 clear and coloured pictures of pilgrims are a must requirement. The size of the picture should be according to the requirements. The background of pictures that is acceptable is usually any light colour, but white is white.
Copy of marriage certificate
If female pilgrims are going on a Hajj or Umrah journey with their spouse, then a copy of the marriage certificate is compulsory for evidence.
Copy of NIC and birth certificate
If the age of the pilgrim is 18 or above, then a copy of their NIC must be provided. In the case of younger pilgrims who are not 18 years old, a copy of a birth certificate has to be submitted.
Vaccination Record
Keeping health conditions in consideration, some vaccination proofs are also required for getting an Umrah visa. Vaccination records for meningitis are commonly asked for, but there could be requirements for some other disease vaccinations. To complete your documents on time, confirm all requirements in advance.
Travel documents
All travel-related documents are compulsory to submit. These documents usually include an airline ticket, an accommodation reservation document, and a driver’s licence if you are going to drive. To avoid any hassle, try to choose that Umrah package that includes all your required arrangements.
Specific Requirements
1. Financial stability proof
In some cases, proof of financial stability is required for applying for an Umrah visa. This condition is applied to pilgrims of a certain citizenship. Usually, a bank statement is asked for to confirm that the pilgrim has enough finances to support their Umrah trip.
2. No objection letter
Recently, Muslim women aged 18 and older are allowed to perform Umrah without their Mahram. But to do so, those women must be part of a group and have a document signed by their Mahram that states their permission.
3. Shahadah Certificate
In case of a revert, a Muslim shahadah certificate is required. To confirm that the applicant is Muslim and has converted, submitting a conversion certificate issued by any mosque is necessary.
4. Additional tips
Although a selection of a good Hajj and Umrah package is very crucial for a good experience, some other points also need to be considered. Such tips that are significant regarding to Hajj and Umrah journey are described below for better guidance.
- Plan the whole journey of the Hajj and Umrah pilgrimage in advance.
- Selecting the ideal time for your Umrah pilgrimage is essential for the greatest experience. Examine Umrah off-peak and peak seasons.
- Select modest, eco-friendly apparel from a limited selection. Keep an additional ihram on hand in case of emergencies.
- Choose budget-friendly Hajj and 2025 Umrah Packages that meet your requirements.
- If pilgrims are physically challenged or have any other problem, then they must select their package accordingly.
- Must ensure the expiration dates of documents for making the process of pilgrimage packages easygoing.
- Select only those travel agencies and agents that possess a good reputation in the market and avoid scammers.
- If a family is going on either one of the pilgrimages, then try to make a list of all required documents for every member to avoid any issues.
