Temporary Suspension of B2C Umrah Visas Following Hajj Season Crisis
President El Sisi stated that the suspension will continue until a reliable system is established to regulate Umrah visa issuance through authorised agents.
In response to the recent heatwave crisis during this year's Hajj season, which resulted in hundreds of deaths, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has temporarily suspended the issuance of the B2C Umrah visa.
The decision to halt the B2C visa, a type of electronic visa that allowed pilgrims to book directly through Saudi Arabia’s electronic Umrah portal without the involvement of external travel agents, is aimed at ensuring better regulation and safety for travellers. President Abdel Fattah El Sisi emphasised that this suspension is temporary and does not signify a complete halt to Umrah visas. Instead, it aims to address the chaos caused by unregulated visas during the Hajj season. President El Sisi highlighted that the primary issue leading to this decision was the lack of organised travel under the B2C visa. The B2C visa allowed individuals to independently secure their visas and travel arrangements, bypassing traditional travel organisers. This unregulated process was identified as a major factor in the logistical and safety challenges faced during the 2024 Hajj season.
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