When you perform Umrah from the UK, you have to complete the basic requirements. These are as per the guidelines of the Saudi Embassy and the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah that every pilgrim must fulfil. As the ministry changes to the requirements, it’s appropriate to visit the official portal of the Saudi Embassy or to take guidance through a travel agency.
An essential travel checklist for Umrah from UK is a list of important items and documents you should carry when travelling. This checklist ensures you have everything that is needed for a visa, health status, and religious rituals.
Here are the detailed Umrah travel requirements for travellers departing from the UK:
- Requirements for Spiritual Practices are Fundamental
- Umrah Visa or Travel Alternative is Necessary
- Step into Umrah Travel Arrangements from the UK
- Daily Expenses Requirement During Umrah
- Don’t Leave This Essential Umrah Travel Checklist
Requirements for Spiritual Practices are Fundamental
Umrah is not just a physical travel or a combination of rituals; it’s a worship that demands spiritual preparation. That’s why the requirements for spiritual practices are called fundamental. The real purpose of travel and worship should be only for the pleasure of Allah SWT instead of showing off or just tourism.
Also, ask for forgiveness for your sins with a sincere heart before Umrah and start enforcing Namaz and obligatory worship. Knowledge of Umrah rituals is mandatory. Learn beforehand how to wear Ihram, how to make intention at Miqat, the correct method of Tawaf and Sa’ee to avoid mistakes. These are part of the inner Umrah requirements from UK that every pilgrim should fulfil.
Let go of any personal grudges, like enmity or jealousy, and develop the habit of prayer and remembrance of Allah SWT. Umrah travellers from the UK should also be patience and kindness for long journeys. Be helpful for other members, especially if you are travelling as part of an organised group.
Umrah Visa or Travel Alternative is Necessary
Going to Saudi Arabia from the UK just for Umrah requires a valid Umrah visa. This visa is valid for 90 days, depending on Saudi policy. Through this, you will be allowed to perform Umrah and visit Makkah as well as Madinah. The good news is that Saudi Arabia has provided flexibility, so it’s not necessary to obtain an Umrah visa. So, UK pilgrims can also travel for Umrah on other types of visas, such as tourist, eVisa, or waiver visa.
One of the best options is the Saudi tourist electronic visa because UK passport holders can get this easily online. Its validity is for one year, with multiple entries and each entry is restricted to a maximum stay of 90 days. If you are doing a Saudi pass-through via a connecting flight and want to stay there, you can also perform Umrah by obtaining a 4-day transit visa for British citizens.
Tip: Your passport must be valid for a minimum of 6 months from the date of travel, and this is part of the essential Umrah requirements from UK.
Step into Umrah Travel Arrangements from the UK
One of the most important Umrah requirements from UK is having proper travel bookings and arrangements. This means that to reach Saudi Arabia, UK pilgrims must arrange all the official and necessary requirements in advance. The first essential that comes to it is that you must have a booked flight from London, Manchester, or Birmingham to Jeddah (near Makkah) or Madinah airport. Your flight ticket must be booked on time via an Umrah travel agency.
Additionally, you have to reserve hotels for your stay in Makkah and Madinah. Hotels come in various categories, likewise 3*, 4*, and 5*. Depending on your preference, you can choose hotels from different packages – economy, standard, or luxury. The distance between the Haram boundary and each hotel is different; some are near and some are far away. It’s recommended to choose the nearest ones from the Haram for an appropriate walking distance within five to ten minutes.
UK travellers can also arrange transport in advance. This is for travel within Saudi Arabia, such as from the airport to the hotel, the hotel to the Ziyarats, Makkah to Madinah, etc. Vehicles may include buses, private cars, hiaces, or group transport. You can also use public transport during Umrah instead of booking a private one. Also, make sure that you are following the rules of Saudi Arabia for transportation.
Daily Expenses Requirement during Umrah
How do you know the basic daily expenses during Umrah, and on what things will they be incurred? This depends on each person’s lifestyle, but there is an average estimate that gives every UK pilgrim an idea. The major area in this is food and meals. If you have taken an Umrah package with meals, then the hotels provide food. But if you don’t take it, then you have to take it by yourself. Its average cost based on mid-range restaurants is £6-10 (30-50 SAR).
Other expenses can cost you around these figures, according to per person per day:
- Local taxi transport: £2-5 (10-25 SAR)
- Shopping and gifts: £50-150 (250-750 SAR)
- Saudi SIM: £10-20 (50-100 SAR), one-time investment
- Miscellaneous: £2-3 (10-15 SAR)
If you make all these expenses in economy standard, you should expect £12-15 per day (excluding shopping). While in mid-range standard, it can be £20-30 per day and for luxury standard, you can expect £40+ per day. These daily budgets give UK pilgrims a realistic picture of the Umrah requirements from UK that helps them to plan accordingly.
Don’t Leave This Essential Umrah Travel Checklist
Umrah travellers must prepare and arrange a travel checklist before leaving the United Kingdom for the pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia. Let’s see this checklist in deep detail!
Travel Documents
- Your passport
- Flight ticket or boarding pass
- Health certificate if required
- Travel or health insurance, if applicable
Clothing items
- 2 x Ihram (for both men and women)
- Hijab and an underscarf for women
- Ihram belt for men
- Light clothing for daily wear
- Comfortable socks
- A small backpack
Personal Care & Electronics
- Medicines and prescriptions
- Universal travel adapter
- Headphones and a power bank
- Sunglasses and an Umbrella
- Duas list
- Toiletries
Hence, Umrah requirements from UK are not very difficult, but it’s very important to understand and prepare them as early as possible. First, you must ensure a valid passport, Umrah visa or tourist visa, and other requirements. Then hotel bookings and return flights must also be taken into account.
If a UK pilgrim has all these things ready, then the journey becomes easy and comfortable. Keep in mind once again that Umrah is a spiritual journey, and the requirements are just a necessary part of preparation so that you can focus on your worship without any stress.
