Saudi Arabia’s decision to halt Umrah visas may prevent thousands of Nigerian pilgrims from participating in the 2024 Ramadan Umrah pilgrimage, sparking concern and agitation among them.
The move is already causing flight cancellations and financial losses for Hajj and Umrah operators due to hotel booking cancellations in Makkah and Madinah.
The new visa policy, requiring a three-month validity and a two-week stay duration, has led to delays in issuing visas, frustrating many intending pilgrims who have been preparing for the trip for nearly a year.
Despite efforts by travel agents and discussions with the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) to resolve the issue, many pilgrims are still unable to obtain visas, with some resorting to paying significantly higher amounts just to secure one.
President of the Association of Hajj and Umrah Operators of Nigeria (AHUON), Alhaji Yahaya Nasidi, estimates that 90% of intending Umrah pilgrims will miss the pilgrimage this year due to visa issues, resulting in significant losses for both pilgrims and travel agents.
Saudi Arabia’s decision to restrict Umrah permits during Ramadan aims to alleviate overcrowding and ensure a comfortable pilgrimage experience for all.
Despite the challenges, NAHCON has not provided any official comment on the situation.
