BURAIDA: Official confirmation that Saudi Arabia has canceled the ‘Host Umrah’ scheme, which allows local citizens and expatriates to bring and host three to five foreign pilgrims to the country to perform Umrah. The spokesman of the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, Hisham bin Saeed, informed the local media representative who investigated this about the cancellation of the project, which was implemented three years ago.
Under the ‘Host Umrah’ scheme, a person staying in the country, regardless of whether he is a native or a foreigner, could bring up to five Muslims from other countries to perform Umrah and provide services.
Meanwhile, expatriates are not barred from bringing and hosting their close relatives to perform Umrah. Foreigners can avail visitor visa for this as per normal procedure.
Currently, all categories of foreign workers, including house drivers, are eligible for family visitor visas.