Nigeria Leftout As Saudi Arabia Announces Visa-free Lesser Hajj for UK, Others

Citizens from the United Kingdom and some other countries have been permited to perform Lesser Hajj (Umrah) by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia without the requirement of obtaining a visa while

Nigerian is leftout of the privileged countries to benefit in the free lesser hajj while people from the United Kingdom, Europe, and the US can now do Umrah without needing a visa.

According to the Saudi Ministry, the initiative is part of Saudi Arabia’s ongoing efforts to enhance the pilgrimage experience and streamline the process for Umrah performers. It aligns with the goals outlined in Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, aiming to enrich the cultural and religious experience for pilgrims.

The release revealed that no African country is eligible under the new policy including Nigeria which has a 99 million Muslim population – the highest in Africa, according to Statista. Under the new regulations, eligible individuals planning to perform Umrah have the flexibility to arrange their pilgrimage using the Nusk app or make on-the-spot arrangements upon their arrival, providing added convenience and ease.

aditionally, in a bid to further facilitate travel, the Kingdom has expanded its visa-on-arrival options for residents of these regions. The update now extends to include first-degree relatives of the visa holder, whether their purpose is for religious or tourism activities.

Furthermore, Saudi Arabia has extended the opportunity to undertake Umrah to transit visa holders traveling via Saudi airlines, making the journey even more accessible for Muslims seeking to embark on this sacred pilgrimage.