In good news for Haj pilgrims, Saudi Arabia has introduced KSA Visa, a unified national visa application platform, where over 30 authorities, ministries and private sector companies have been integrated. It intends to simplify the visa procedure for various purposes such as Haj, tourism, umrah, employment and business trips. The move follows the visit by Saudi Haj & Umrah Minister Tawfig bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah. Around 20 lakh Haj pilgrims from India stand to benefit.
The KSA Visa platform is based on advanced technology such as artificial intelligence (AI), which helps users to locate visas available. Its search engine guides on application procedure and visa requirements. It was inaugurated at the digital government forum in the country’s capital.
The platform has been launched with an ambitious target of 150 million visits to the country every year by 2030. Saudi Arabia has already issued 18.6 million visas in 2023. A digital visa is issued in just 60 seconds.
Moreover, the country is trying to set up a flexible visa system for Indian pilgrims, particularly women travelling alone on the Umrah trip. The Umrah visa has been extended up to 90 days. To address the need of a rising number of Indian pilgrims, a 4-day transit visa has been introduced.
Minister Al-Rabiah has ensured that this will help in establishing gender equality and creating an inclusive and safe atmosphere for all visitors, including pilgrims. He said that an uptick in Indian Umrah pilgrims is expected.
The country has allotted a quota of over 1.75 lakh pilgrims from India during the Haj season 2024, underlining Saudi Arabia’s plan to boost the experience for pilgrims from various walks of life.
Millions of devout Muslims flock to Mecca every year for the sacred pilgrimage. It is one among the Five Pillars of Islam that an able-bodied Muslim should fulfil, at least once in their life.
Haj has a huge spiritual importance for all Muslims across the globe as they assemble in large numbers in Mecca for praying and seeking forgiveness.
