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Each
applicant for a Hajj visa must apply through a licensed
US travel agency, which must present the Consulate
with copies of “Accommodation Contacts” and a
letter of the Ministry of Hajj in Saudi Arabia confirming
that the travel agency has duly completed all requirements
to qualify to assist pilgrims.
Applications
for Hajj visa will not be considered if the following requirements
are not complete:
- The
applicant must have a passport with a validity of at least
six (6) months and acceptable both for entry to Saudi Arabia
and entry to the next destination; the passport should have
at least two empty visa pages adjacent to each other.
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Each applicant must submit one (1) recent passport size
color photograph with a white background. The photograph
must be a full-face view in which the visa applicant is
facing the camera directly. Side or angled views are NOT
accepted.
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The applicant must submit a completed application form filled
in with black ink pen or printed; the form must be signed
and stamped by the authorized travel agency.
-
The Mahram should write his complete information on the
application forms of his spouse and children or any relative
with whom he is traveling. He should also provide copies
of marriage or birth certificates; if these documents were
issued outside the USA, he should then provide copies translated
and notarized by a certified translation office.
- All
ladies are required to travel for Hajj with a Mahram. Proof
of kinship must be submitted with the application form.
Any lady over the age of forty-five (45) may travel without
a Mahram with an organized group, provided she submits a
letter of no objection from her husband, son or brother
authorizing her to travel for Hajj with the named group.
This letter should be notarized.
-
The applicant must be in possession of a non-refundable
roundtrip ticket with confirmed reservations.
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The
applicant must submit proof of vaccination for meningitis
and ACYW135. For infants and children up to fifteen (15)
years of age, a vaccination report is required for polio
as well as meningitis and polio. Children over fifteen (15)
years of age should present the same vaccinations requested
for adults.
- Each
pilgrim should submit two certified checks or cashier checks
payable to 'Unified Agents Office' in Jeddah for pilgrimage
services. These checks should include the name and the passport
number of the pilgrim. Each applicant must pay the following
fees:
(a) US $158.40 (one hundred fifty-eight dollars & forty
cents) for services rendered by the local Tawaf agencies
and for housing at the Holy sites.
(b) US $116.00 (one hundred sixteen dollars only) for air-conditioned
transportation services.
Pilgrims have the option to submit one check combining both
fees: in this case, the amount would be US$ 274.40 (two
hundred seventy-four dollars & forty cents).
Children between the age of seven (7) and fifteen (15) should
only pay half of the above-mentioned amount.
Children under the age of seven (7) do not need to pay.
- Non-US
citizens should submit a copy of their green card or documented
proof of legal residence status in the USA. Passport authorities
in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia reserve the right to return
(at his or her own expense) any pilgrim who has provided
wrong or false information about their residence in the
USA.
- No
applicant under the legal age of eighteen (18) will be granted
a Hajj visa if not accompanied by his family.
-
If the applicant has converted to Islam, an Islamic certificate
must be presented; this needs to be notarized by an Islamic
Center.
General
Guidelines:
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Travelers must carry vaccination certificates with them
for inspection by the Saudi Authority at port of entry.
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No food products are allowed into the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
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The last day to enter King Abdulaziz Airport in Jeddah for
the purpose of Hajj is 4 Dhu Al-Hijjah of each year.
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Upon arrival, pilgrims shall hand their passports to the
custody of the “Unified Agents Office” representatives
to enable the latter to complete all travel formalities
to Makkah and Madinah.
-
In the event that pilgrims lose their passport, they should
immediately report the loss to the same office appointed
to take care of them during Hajj. Applicants must obtain
a report from the office of the Unified Agents in which
the loss of passport is mentioned.
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All pilgrims must leave the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia after
Hajj no later than the 10th of Muharram of each year. The
rules and regulations of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia forbid
any pilgrims from staying in the country after the completion
of Hajj.
General
guidelines for travel agencies:
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Travel agents must provide the consulate with Residence,
Tawaf, and transportation contracts. They also must provide
the unified contract that verifies the general services
provided to pilgrims. This contact must include the name
of the organizer, the code given to him by the Ministry
of Hajj, and the number of visas he’s allowed to get.
He also must provide the consulate with a letter from the
Ministry of Hajj’s office in Makkah. All these documents
should arrive at the consulate before hajj visas are issued.
- Passports
will be returned if the information submitted is not compatible
with the information sent electronically by the Ministry
of Pilgrimage. The Embassy reserves the right to inform
the ministry of Pilgrimage about travel agencies that submit
inaccurate or incomplete information.
- Travel
agencies should affix on each passport a sticker showing
the agency’s name, address and telephone number.
- In
the case that a travel agency wishes to submit any question
or complaints to the Ministry of Hajj, they could do so
through the company or agency they deal with in Saudi Arabia
or through the official routes in their country.
Notes:
- Visitors
should not overstay the time granted on the visa.
- Visitors
to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia must abide by the country's
Islamic laws and regulations and respect its society's values
and traditions.
- The
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's laws against drug trafficking
are strictly enforced. Violators are subject to severe punishment,
which may include the death penalty.
- Sectarian,
political or religious gatherings are forbidden.
If
you are applying to Washington, DC, fill out and then print
the Visa
Application & Requirements (pdf)
The
Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Washington DC takes this
opportunity to wish all pilgrims a happy Hajj and a safe
return.
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You will need
Adobe Acrobat to view and print the application forms. |
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