Your Guide to Umrah Booking Platform for Foreign Pilgrims

Umrah travel is something that every believer dreams of being able to opt for in his lifetime. Since it’s a sunnah yet highly rewarding pilgrimage, millions travel through Umrah Packages every year and offer the rituals of minor pilgrimage in Makkah, Saudia Arabia. 

If you are traveling for Umrah for the first time and need a guide for an Umrah booking platform for foreign pilgrims, we’ve got you covered.

Maqam Portal.

The Maqam portal is an official platform for the ‘online Umrah application system’ by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah that allows Muslims across the globe to quickly apply for Umrah travel packages from anywhere in the world. Therefore, allowing Umrah pilgrims not only to be able to plan their own itineraries electronically through approved OTAs and platforms but also have multiple options at their disposal.

Benefits of using the Maqam portal.

Essentially serving as a Global Distribution System (GDS), the Maqam portal offers for Umrah travelers;

• Linking services.

• Rates.

• Bookings.

• Offering goods and services.

For all sorts of airlines, hotels, and car rental needs. Meanwhile, approved travel agents and OTAs promote the services to Umrah pilgrims worldwide through the Maqam portal i.e., advertising themselves.

Umrah booking through the platform for foreign pilgrims.

1. First of all, visit the Maqam portal at their official website https://maqam.gds.haj.gov.sa/Home/OTAs. 

2. From the list of authorized travel agents, select your desired travel agency and proceed to the next step.

3. Create an account by signing up on the official website of the travel agency that you’ve selected for your Umrah booking.

4. Open the Umrah Travel Form and/or webpage.

5. Along with your Umrah booking through the platform, submit the following documents along;

a. Passport-sized photographs of the pilgrim with a full, front-face view.

b. A passport that has a validity of at least six months at the time of application submission.

c. Vaccination certificates for all the specified vaccines for your region of travel.

d. A valid Umrah visa.

e. Your trip itinerary.

f. Financial proof to sponsor your entire travel and stay period in Haramain.

6. Enter your trip details as required such as;

a. Departure date and arrival date.

b. Name of the airports you’ll be using.

c. The number of nights you plan to stay in Makkah as well as Madinah.

d. Where will be your first stop i.e., either Makkah or Madinah, specify one. 

7. Pre-book your hotels and flights in order to streamline your Umrah travel experience. Additionally, it is among the prerequisites for getting your Umrah visa application approved by the embassy. Therefore, select a hotel and airline of your choice for all sorts of travel and accommodation needs that best suits your affordability. 

8. Enter your personal details as necessary. For instance;

a. Your first name and last name.

b. Date of birth.

c. Citizenship.

d. PR status (if you are residing in a foreign country).

e. Place of birth.

f. Shahadah certificate (if you have a non-Muslim name), etc.

9. Choose and add your desired payment method. Pilgrims can pay for their Umrah visa, flight tickets, as well as hotel reservations, either with a credit card or a debit card.

10. Submit your application online after finishing it and reviewing it for any errors and omissions. 

11. After you’ve submitted the Umrah travel application, go to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ website on their official handle and complete your data entry to get your Umrah visa approved.

So, that’s how one can book Umrah through the Maqam platform for foreign pilgrims.

Can I Use UK Debit Card in Saudi Arabia During Umrah?

Understanding the characteristics of a high-quality Umrah package is crucial. Understanding the various plans and the perks they provide is essential. You can save a lot of money by shopping around for umrah packages online. There are a plethora of websites dedicated to helping people locate the lowest possible travel costs. It is possible to perform the Umrah, or lesser pilgrimage, to Mecca at any time of the year. In their lifetimes, the majority of Muslims worldwide will travel there at least once.

Prioritizing and defining your expectations for your Umrah journey are crucial steps in the preparation process. Which of spirituality, culture, and education most interests you? Is there anything specific you'd like to see or do while away? Finding a Umrah packages Birmingham becomes less of a challenge after you have established these priorities. But how do you choose the best umrah packages?

What is a package type, and how do they work?

• A travel package will often include both a price and a set schedule.

• The total price depends on the length of your trip and the kind of lodging you require.

• The itinerary details not only your lodging, transportation, and meals, but also your arrival and departure times at each location.

How to Save Money on the Right Umrah Package?

Compared to other countries, travelling to Saudi Arabia has far more advantageous terms. The current average cost of an Umrah journey is less than $500 per person, with Saudi Arabia being one of the cheapest destinations. In 2018, more than nine million individuals made the journey. There are several places across the country that can meet their various requirements.

The dilemma of whether to choose a more affordable or pricier bundle is one that many individuals face. Because they don't know what features and benefits come with each choice, answering this question might be difficult. There is no simple solution to this topic because it is impossible to know which choice will be best for everyone. Yet, certain packages are more appealing than others because of considerations like adaptability, per-day costs, and arrival times.

While demand for December Umrah Packages 2023 has skyrocketed, the number of companies offering trips has expanded. It's also challenging to locate one that is suitable for your needs. Here are three ways to cut costs when selecting a plan:

• Shop around for the best deal before committing to a package.

• Determine whether or not you will actually use the bundled services by doing some research and comparing different service plans.

• Go for a service that gives you reasonable returns and perks.

Can I Use UK Debit Card in Saudi Arabia During Umrah?

Using a UK debit card in Saudi Arabia for the next Umrah is not out of the question. The real concern is whether or not you can get cash out of ATMs in the Middle East. If a consumer from the United Kingdom has to make purchases during Umrah in Saudi Arabia, he or she must bring a credit card instead. When you're abroad, you might not always be able to use ATMs to withdraw cash. Due to safety concerns, several financial institutions may exclude customers from particular nations. A trip overseas might easily cost more than you bargained for, leaving you in a bind once you return home.