Move ensures pilgrims don't overstay Umrah visas
(MENAFN- Arab News) RIYADH: The Ministry of Haj has issued a circular limiting the operations of foreign travel offices in Makkah and Madinah to Haj.
These agents extend assistance to pilgrims like facilitation of visa renewal and making arrangements for transportation accommodation and food.
'The circular has been issued to make sure that all foreign pilgrims leave the Kingdom after performing Umrah' said a foreign travel agent.
He said that in the past such agents used to operate throughout the year in the two holy cities and this made it possible for foreign pilgrims to stay even after their visas had expired.
Citing an example he said a pilgrim came to the Kingdom on an Umrah visa 14 years ago. 'She decided not to return home. She is now married with children and no documentation.'
Moreover he said the travel agents have local partners who make a lot of money citing the case of an Asian Muslim who worked in the Kingdom for a long time.
'He's retired now but he and his colleagues became rich by forming a company which rendered services to foreign pilgrims in Makkah and Madinah' he said.
He added that with the foreign travel agents' operations limited during Haj season only the local partners would also earn less.
These agents extend assistance to pilgrims like facilitation of visa renewal and making arrangements for transportation accommodation and food.
'The circular has been issued to make sure that all foreign pilgrims leave the Kingdom after performing Umrah' said a foreign travel agent.
He said that in the past such agents used to operate throughout the year in the two holy cities and this made it possible for foreign pilgrims to stay even after their visas had expired.
Citing an example he said a pilgrim came to the Kingdom on an Umrah visa 14 years ago. 'She decided not to return home. She is now married with children and no documentation.'
Moreover he said the travel agents have local partners who make a lot of money citing the case of an Asian Muslim who worked in the Kingdom for a long time.
'He's retired now but he and his colleagues became rich by forming a company which rendered services to foreign pilgrims in Makkah and Madinah' he said.
He added that with the foreign travel agents' operations limited during Haj season only the local partners would also earn less.
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