Saudi Arabia lets some Umrah pilgrims submit biometric details on app to get visa

Applicants from five approved nations needn't visit kingdom's embassy in their country to apply

An aerial view of Umrah pilgrims at the Grand Mosque in Makkah. Photo: SPA

Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has announced pilgrims coming from certain countries can now register for a visa by submitting their facial and fingerprint details through a smartphone app.

Biometric details registered on the Saudi Visa Bio app can to be used to issue online Umrah visas for pilgrims from the UK, Tunisia, Kuwait, Bangladesh and Malaysia, the ministry said on Sunday.

Procedures for issuing of Umrah visas electronically will be completed based on biometric details before a pilgrim's arrival in the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah, reported the Saudi Press Agency.

Applicants scan their passport to confirm their identity, then submit a full-face picture from the front camera and scan their fingerprints.

This aims to ease the entry procedures through the kingdom’s ports and improve the digital experience for pilgrims, in line with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, said officials.

Saudi Arabia is the first country to use the registration of features of visa applicants via smartphones.

The Umrah pilgrimage can be performed at any time of year. In 2023, Hajj begins on June 26 and ends of July 1.

During Ramadan 2020 and 2021 international visitors were barred from entering Saudi Arabia, but this year they have returned. SPA

Itikaf prayers at the Grand Mosque have also been allowed once more. SPA

During Ramadan, worshippers are met at the Grand Mosque with the smell of oud from more than 20 incense burners, which will be increased to 60 in the last 10 days of the fast. AFP

A Muslim woman prays in front of the Kaaba, Islam's holiest shrine, at the Grand Mosque. AFP

Saudi Arabia says it will permit one million Muslims from inside and outside the country to participate in this year's hajj. @SPA twitter

Muslim pilgrims circumambulate around the Kaaba. AFP

Muslims pray around the Kaaba. AFP

Makkah is alive with visitors from all over the world for the first time since the Covid-19 outbreak was declared a pandemic. AFP