Saudi Arabia Implements New Umrah Visa Guidelines, Causing Stranded Pilgrims and Frustration
The Saudi General Aviation Authority (GACA) has announced new regulations affecting Umrah pilgrims traveling after 15th Shawwal, which prohibit travelers on Umrah visas from entering Saudi Arabia. This policy aims to streamline the pilgrimage process, but it has left many travelers stranded and frustrated.
According to the directive, pilgrims holding Umrah visas post-15th Shawwal are not permitted to travel to Saudi Arabia. Airlines are required to ensure passengers do not board flights to Saudi Arabia if they fall under this category. Those who violate the rules, including both passengers and airlines, will face legal repercussions under Saudi laws.
Read More: Saudi Government Imposes Makkah Entry Ban Without Permit Starting April 23
The new guidelines have created confusion, especially for travelers who were not informed in advance. Currently, over 60 Umrah pilgrims remain stranded in Saudi Arabia due to this regulation. One of the most significant incidents occurred with Flight SV 700, which was scheduled to arrive in Karachi yesterday. Despite passengers receiving their boarding passes, they were offloaded last-minute due to limited capacity on the plane.
The stranded pilgrims are primarily from the Jafar Khan Leghari area of Sanghar, a region with a deep cultural connection to the Umrah pilgrimage. More than 24 hours have passed since the incident, and arrangements to return the pilgrims to Pakistan have yet to be made.
The situation has escalated, with affected travelers, including elderly women and children, expressing their frustration through protests. In response to the unrest, the passengers have been temporarily relocated to a hotel where they await updates.
Airport authorities have assured the stranded pilgrims that an alternative flight will be arranged soon. However, the ongoing delays and lack of communication have caused considerable distress, with travelers and their families urgently seeking a swift resolution.
