27/08/2021
Due to the confusion and speculations about Umrah we would like to clarify a few points
1. UK nationals, travelling with any carriers regardless, must have completed the two doses of vaccinations.
2. They must have completed the "Muqeem" form at least 24 hours before arriving in KSA and no more then 72 hours.
3. They must have taken out a PCR test under 72 hours of their depature from UK.
4. They must have booked the PCR for completion on 2nd day of arrival back in UK. If pilgrims have that and the Twakkalana app and Ettimarana app on their androids, then they will not be subjected to any quarantines in KSA.
5. Travellers using tourism visa can enter KSA regardless of their age. But under 18 will not be allowed inside the Harmain Sharifains.
6. When pilgrims arrives in any international airports in KSA, regardless or where they have arrived from or which nationals, they will first have to go pass the Ministry of Health check. The officials will scrutinise the Muqeem papers and the PCR papers. If the papers are accepted they will update your detail on their system. Thereafter you will proceed to immigration who will update your data on their system and issue an arrival reference number into your passport,
7. Once you collect your luggage and go past the customs, the first thing you MUST do is activate the tawakkalana app. Once that is done you activate the Ettimarana app. Once that is done you apply for your umra permit.
8. Ettimarana will automatically detect your arrival date and will not issue the permit before minimum of 72 hours since your arrival. It will offer you various slots for you to select. Each slot allows you maximum three hours to complete your umra.
9. If you are in Jeddah it is best you proceed to Madina and use the 72 hours waiting time positively in Masjid Nabavi because there is no restriction on entering in there and you can stay inside until after Esha salah and leave as they shut the masjid.
10. If you wish to pray in the Rawda and also give salutations to the prophet pbuh then you apply for a permit through Ettimarana app. You can apply separately for just salutation visit. The permit is easily acquired. On the permitted time and date you will have to join a queue which starts from the north side of the masjid just off the court building or near pullman zamzam. You can apply for repeated visits to the Rawdah
11. You must ensure your handset is charged as you have to show your tawakkalana clearance to security wherever you go., ie, Bin Dawood or restaurants, or shops or malls or entering the Masjid Nabavi or getting on coach. You will be asked for it everywhere and entry refused if you cannot produce it.
12. For Masjid-ul-Haram in Makkah, Only one umra permit is issued. A second permit will be issued after minimum of 16 days after the first umra.
13. To pray inside the Haram, in Makkah, you must apply for a permit. Currently it is taking a minimum of 17 to 24 days just to get one salah.
14. Congregational salah permit is for the 1st floor of the Haram only. Nifil Tawaf is not permitted. Other then the air conditioned section (King Fahad section) you will be told to leave after the janaza salah following the congregational salah.
15. All hotels, in Makkah, can apply for umra permit for you using your Ettimarana app. If you are fortunate, you may get that immediately. But permit for salah has to be made by you alone. Likewise, all hotels in Madinah can apply for your Rawdah visit.
16. If you are travelling on an Umra Visa, then your UK licensed umra agent can get the Umra company, in KSA, to get your umra permit for you.
17. NO APPLICATION FOR UMRA OR SALAH OR RAWDAH VISIT CAN BE MADE WHILE YOU ARE IN UK. IT MUST BE APPLIED FOR AFTER YOU HAVE GONE PAST THE KSA IMMIGRATION.
18. And you will not be allowed to sit or pray anywhere around the courtyard of Masjid ul Haram in Makkah. In fact you wont even be allowed into the courtyard unless you are entering for salah or umra with a valid permit.
I hope the information provided is useful
