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QUESTIONS ABOUT UMRAH WITH IBADAH TOURS

Countries that are eligible for Saudi Tourism Visa
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Important notice for visitors traveling to Saudi Arabia on a Tourism Visa.

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Saudi is open to international visitors. Please review the following requirements carefully to ensure that you have a seamless journey and a pleasant arrival in Saudi.

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All travelers must:

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  • Have a valid tourism/Umrah visa obtained before arrival. Visa on arrival remains suspended for health and safety reasons

  • Have medical insurance. This insurance is included in all new tourism visa issues. If you are entering on a      previously issued tourism visa, you will need to pay an additional fee of SAR 40 at the airport on arrival to cover insurance for any basic medical expenses

  • Download and register the NUSUK application before arriving at the point of departure. To use NUSUK in Saudi you will need phone and data services on your cellphone

  • For your convenience, you should check the current entry requirements with your chosen airline before purchasing a ticket

  • For further information please contact us

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We look forward to welcoming you to Saudi soon.

Is Zamzam Allowed to be brought back?

SInce the Pandemic, the Saudi authorities stopped the sale of Zamzam and would not allow any to be brought back, however recently many of our group travellers have been allowed to carry 1 x 5ltr Zamzam which has to be purchased at the Airport only on return. There have also been instances where they have refused individual passengers (private packages) from taking Zamzam. The decision is solely down to the authorities and we have no say over this. We again hope and pray that we are allowed to bring back Zamzam and the authorties have completely eased their regulations by the time you travel.

Can I travel by myself or travel with a group package?

One may travel on their own or in a group of any number of people– the only requirement is that all your accommodation and visa must be arranged before applying for a Visa.

Can I combine my trip with a stopover in another country?

Yes, Our UmrahPlus packages offer many onward destinations at a small extra charge including destinations in the Middle East, Africa, Asia and the Far East. Other carriers such as Emirates, Etihad, Turkish Airlines, Qatar Airways, Gulf Air, Egypt Air and Royal Jordanian also offer stopovers and onward trips. However you must take your Umrah/Tourism Visa Validity into account.

What if I cancel after booking?

Kindly adhere to our terms and conditions for our cancellation policy. This can be found by clicking here.

Can I change the program once I have booked?

No, this is no longer possible as payment for your package is sent to the Ministry of Hajj or suppliers prior to visa authorisation application and the visa is issued according to the programme.

What are the charges for children and infants?

If the child requires a bed or a seat in the transportation then full adult charge is considered, else if 2 young children share one bed they pay 50% of the adult rate plus a service charge. If no bed/seat are required then they pay just the service/visa charge. Airlines typically charge 65-70% of the adult fare for children plus taxes and 10% for infants.

How much time period is required between booking and date of travel?

For Umrah Visa's an absolute minimum of 21 days must be given to allow for visa authorisation, visa processing and the necessary accommodation, flight reservations and confirmations.

For Tourism Visa's a minimum of 3 days must be given, although a Visa can be processed upon express request but will incur an extra admin charge.

Any Visas that are rejected by the Saudi Government are not the responsibility of Ibadah Tours. Any extra costs incurred must be paid by the individual.

What if, I face any problem after arrival in Saudi Arabia?

In case of a problem with the accommodation/transportation-booked, we will issue you with an emergency contact numbers that you should contact in the first instance. Otherwise you may contact us by phone or email here in UK and we will do our best to resolve your problem ASAP.

Can I select a hotel of my choice?

You may choose from any hotel from our wide selection of hotels ranging, from 3 star economy to 5 star deluxe hotels - subject to availability.

Can I get a Visa without booking accommodation?

Please speak to our team and we will advice you further, we get the best hotel deals around so you would definitely be helping yourself by allowing us to draft you a free quote.

When will details be required for the Visa Process?

We will be in touch with you all in due course via email in order for you all to send us the relevant documentation we require to process and finalise the rest of your booking. Due to the Tourism Visa lasting for a year, we try and apply as late as we possibly can in order to allow you all as much validity as possible before the Visa expires should you wish to perform Umrah again in the near future. This saves you the cost of applying for a new Visa.

Are COVID-19 Vaccinations Required?

Currently Saudi Arabia have waived the requirement for any COVID-19 related vaccinations. Meaning you do not need to prove you have had the vaccine. There is also no need to take any PCR tests. However we are not responsible for any changes made on government guidelines, we hope and pray the situation for Pilgrims entering only gets better. At the moment all of our groups over the last few months have been able to travel with ease.

On the unfortunate instance that a traveller tests posistive for COVID-19, any extra costs for Hotels, flight changes are not the responsibility of Ibadah Tours. It goes without saying, we will be there to help and support you as much as we can.

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Do we provide Scholars?

Through the Mercy, Will and Blessings of ALLAH ï·» we have created beautiful relationships with reputable and knowledgeable Scholars and spiritual guides. We have an array of group packages available that include the services of the Scholars. No matter how many times one travels for an Islamic Journey, having a person of knowledge at hand is always a bonus.

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Will there be a logistical team at hand on the tour?

We provide logistical team leaders on all group packages to be able to assist you with any issues or queries on the ground related to your booking. We are available for you throughout the tour and at any time, as we all want you to be able to concentrate on what is important, your Ibadah.

When is the latest date to clear my outstanding balance?

It is very important for you to clear any outstanding amount on your invoice/s no later than 30 days prior to departure. Help us help others. We are the first organisation to allow flexible payment plans for Islamic Pilgrimage within our industry. Even though it can leave us with huge bills to pay beforehand from our own pockets, we know that it can benefit a Muslim and in turn be rewarding for us, which is why we do it. We are surprised why other organisations have not taken this method on board as it definitely allows a larger client base, but just goes to show we have always been here to serve you all as humbly as we can in order to ease any burdens we may feel in our graves. We kindly ask you to make Dua’ we remain sincere in what we do towards the Ummah and also ask you to repay our trust in you by completing the payments on time.

Will I have a guide for Umrah?

There is an option available for a guide during Umrah.

How do I travel between Makkah and Madinah?

The Saudi Arabian Public Transport Company (SAPTCO) offers an hourly service between Makkah and Madina throughout the day by air conditioned coaches, at an approximate cost of £19 return. Alternatively you can hire a cab for approximately £120 one way. The coach stations are located near the Haram (behind Dar Al Tawhid Intercontinental). As of October 2018 the new Haramain fast train service is also available, costs of this will be available by the end of October 2018.

Are Ziyarah trips included?

When we take your booking we will ask you if you would like to include the Ziyarah's in your package, usually at a low cost and with an English speaking tour guide. Ziyarah is included on all of our group packages. At times the Ziyarah's may be rescheduled or cancelled depending on situations on the ground or through the Saudi Authorities regulations.

Can I get an Umrah Visa without having a British passport?

You may only get a visa for umrah on a non British passport if:

• You have an "indefinite stay" endorsement on your passport

• You are here to stay with your spouse who is a British National

• You are here on a work permit

• You are here on a student visa

How many times in a year can i get an Umrah Visa?

Under the new system there are no restrictions on the number of times that you can apply for an umrah visa as long as the criteria for umrah visa is met.

Can a lady travel by herself?

Under the new Tourism Visa, females can travel without the need of a Mehram.

What are the hotels check in and check out times?

Earliest hotel check-in time is 2pm, and the latest check-out time is also 2pm. We cannot be held liable for accommodation not being available beyond these times. If a flight is arriving earlier than the check-in time on the day of arrival, we advise that accommodation is also booked for the night prior.

Are any other Vaccines required?

Saudi Arabian government and travel websites have always stated that the Meningitis ACWY vaccination is a requirement to travel, this used to be manadatory when the only way to apply was through the Umrah Visa, since the release of the Tourism Visa this has been eased. Over the last few years not a single passenger has been asked to produce proof of this vaccination, through group or individual packages through us. We always advice to take this for your health and safety but do not force it upon anyone.

Will we be receiving any further information?

Closer to the departure date, anyone that books a group package through us will all receive a customised PDF, unlike anything else on the market. The itinerary is specific to your tour and details your daily schedule as well as beneficial information with regards to Umrah. You will also be invited for a pre Umrah Webinar which will be arranged closer to the time of travel so that the information remains fresh in your minds. A whatsapp group will be created, adding all participants of the tour only, in order for you all to be updated on the grounds regularly.

What happens if I cannot travel?

If the cancellation is due to Ibadah Tours, we will refund you every single penny. However if the cancellation is down to yourself for any reason at all then you need to refer to our cancellation policy on our terms and conditions which can be found here: https://www.ibadahtours.com/terms-and-conditions

We always hope this scenario does not take place for any of our clients. May ALLAH ï·» bless you all with health and ease in order to be able to perform this beautiful and rewarding Pilgrimage.

Will Ihrams be provided?

Yes, we provide Ihrams for all of our group packages for Males, the Ihram garment will be handed to you in Saudi Arabia through our team on the grounds before departing for Makkah. We will also provide you with a drawstring bag in order for you to keep you footwear safe whilst entering the Haramain.

What if I am unhappy with the package?

In the first instance, you must get in touch with our service provider whilst in Saudi Arabia so that the problem may be resolved immediately, otherwise you may get in touch with us and we will endeavour to investigate and resolve the problem. At last, if nothing works out then the Ministry of Hajj can also investigate your complaint.

All the flights and flight-inclusive holidays on this website are financially protected by the ATOL scheme. When you pay you will be supplied with an ATOL Certificate. Please ask for it and check to ensure that everything you booked (flights, hotels and other services) is listed on it. Please see our booking conditions for further information or for more information about financial protection and the ATOL Certificate go to: www.atol.org.uk/ATOLCertificate

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IBADAH TOURS IS A TRADING NAME FOR MK HOLIDAYS LTD

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65b Palmerston Road, London E17 6PR

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