Saudi Arabia issues more than 4.1 million Umrah visas

The Vision 2030 reform plan aims to attract more than 30 million Umrah pilgrims and provide them with top-class services and an outstanding experience. (SPA)
Updated 25 February 2019
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Saudi Arabia issues more than 4.1 million Umrah visas

  • The weekly data also included 8,430 males and 1,739 females working within Umrah companies and institutions

JEDDAH: The number of Umrah visas issued this year by Saudi Arabia has reached more than 4.1 million.
According to data provided by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, the total figure for approved visas stands at 4,116,827, of which 3,672,648 pilgrims have arrived in the Kingdom. There are 439,785 pilgrims still in the country, with 302,263 of them in Makkah and 137,522 in Madinah.
Most pilgrims — 3,266,663 — traveled to the Kingdom by air, while 374,915 entered by land and 31,070 arrived by sea.
The largest number of pilgrims are from Pakistan (910,028), followed by Indonesia (596,970), India (391,087), Yemen (200,239), Malaysia (193,364), Egypt (189,496), Turkey (158,403), Algeria (127,563), and Bangladesh (93,760). 

The weekly data also included 8,430 males and 1,739 females working within Umrah companies and institutions.
Developing Hajj and Umrah organizations and services in the Kingdom is among the top priorities of the Saudi government. The Vision 2030 reform plan aims to attract more than 30 million Umrah pilgrims and provide them with top-class services and an outstanding experience.


8 NGOs join Saudi Arabia’s national vegetation drive

Updated 26 January 2026
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8 NGOs join Saudi Arabia’s national vegetation drive

  • The center continues to promote collaboration across sectors to expand environmental awareness and advance sustainability goals through knowledge exchange

RIYADH: The National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification has signed memoranda of understanding with several nonprofit environmental associations to strengthen partnerships with the nonprofit sector in advancing national goals for environmental sustainability.

The MoUs were signed with eight associations: Al-Nakaa Association, Lavender Society, Darb Hiking Trails and Walking Trips Association, Hail Agriculture Development Association, Yanbu Environmental Association, Rifaq Environment Association (Hail), Aghsan Environmental Association, and Pristine Future Environment Association.

The center said cooperation with the nonprofit sector enhances volunteer and community initiatives and maximizes environmental and social impact across the Kingdom, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.

The agreements are part of a broader cooperation framework covering afforestation and land rehabilitation projects, nature-based tourism support, expertise exchange, capacity building through training, and community environmental awareness.

The center continues to promote collaboration across sectors to expand environmental awareness and advance sustainability goals through knowledge exchange, coordinated community efforts, joint outreach programs, and initiatives supporting national environmental objectives.