Vision 2030 reform plan: Saudi Arabia scraps repeat Umrah fees

Royal decree restructures visit, transit and Hajj policies

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) has issued a royal decree which restructured visit, transit and Hajj policies including cancellation of repeat Umrah fees.

According to Arab News, minister for Hajj and Umrah Dr Mohammad Salih Bentin, paid his gratitude to king Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for issuing the royal decree.

“The royal decree is part of the leadership’s keenness to facilitate the arrival of Muslims from all over the world to perform Hajj and Umrah,” he said.

The decree reflects on the kingdom’s readiness to receive the increasing number of pilgrims due to huge infrastructure projects and the development of services in Makkah, Madina and other holy places, he added.

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The minister said that the decree is issued in line of Vision 2030 reform plan as it supports its objective which is to receive 30 million Umrah pilgrims by that year, and to provide them with great services so they can perform their religious obligations in comfort and tranquility.

This year, 'Road to Makkah project' for Hajj pilgrims was introduced to facilitate passengers by curtailing their travelling time as passengers would be able to clear immigration at local airports, though the facility has started at the Islamabad airport only as of now.

The story originally appeared in Arab News