UMRAH is a non-mandatory obligation of Islam but its importance can be the judge as being a guest of Allah SWT. So that UMRAH provides a great opportunity to visit the house of Allah SWT. Muslims around the world visit Makah and Medina each year. Muslims from the UK also visit these holy cities due to their divine love for Allah SWT and Prophet Muhammad SAW. In the UK many travel agencies provide cheap UMRAH packages for this religious journey.
Procedure for UMRAH Travel:
In the UK Saudi embassy makes the procedure more convenient for the visitors by allowing a special UMRAH visa. Visitors can get an UMRAH visa whole year except the Hajj days. Following basic document required to proceed.
• An online application for UMRAH Visa
• Valid passport for six months
• 2 passport size photos
• Flight itinerary
• Meningitis certificate
• Hotel booking
Female visitors must accompany by MAHRAM except for those over 45 years old. Tourist visa holder needs to apply for a permit from Saudi Govt. Those who are transiting their flight from Makah need a transit visa to perform UMRAH. Saudi Govt. has established an electronic visa facility for rapid and transparent procedures.
How to select a perfect package for UMRAH:
Due to the number of visitors, many travel agencies are operating in the UK. The prior & important task is to select an agency that provides legal facilities to UMRAH visitors. For that purpose Govt. of the UK provide an online facility to check the authenticity through Air Travel Organizers License (ATOL) portal.
The second most important task is to check the facilities provided by these organizers such as flight arrangements, accommodation facilities, and other traveling facilities inter and intercity.
Manage Travel itinerary:
Visitors must check the traveling facilities provided in their UMRAH packages. It takes around a minimum of 7 hours to travel from the UK to Makah. We have to pay consideration for the facilities at the airport and during the flight. Airlines are operating from Manchester, Birmingham, London Heathrow, Edinburgh & Glasgow, and other cities direct to Makah and Medina. Some airports such as Manchester‘s terminals 2 & 3 provide special prayer and changing places for visitors.
Nearby Accommodation:
As UMRAH visa carry on from 7 to 14 days so in that specific time accommodation matter a lot. We have to select that package which provides hotels nearby the holy places. This will help us to travel less and provide more time and energy for religious obligations.
Traveling Guidelines:
The third task is to find all prior information regarding traveling. Both public and private transport are available in holy cities. But we have to get all the necessary information regarding the visit of sacred places from our organizer.
Food Arrangements:
Some organizer provides food also in their packages. It facilitates the visitor to get healthy food otherwise visitors have to take meals from outside in restaurants.
Suggestions:
Considering all above mention key points we can select those packages by the organizers, which provide visa process, manage travel itinerary, accommodate best hotel resident and guide throughout the UMRAH obligation.
