Umrah travel for women is a bit different from men. In the recent years, female pilgrims needed to accompany a male Mahram for their Umrah pilgrimage. Otherwise, visa approval wasn’t possible let alone performing the holy rituals.
As per the new rules implemented in Saudi Vision 2030 plan, women can now travel alone for Umrah. Just like men, adult women can book All Inclusive Umrah Packages with flights from UKand arrive in Makkah by themselves. There’s no need to accompany a male mahram or submit the proof for it.
Here’s what you need to know about the Mahram rules for Umrah.
Understanding Mahram for a woman
The mahram for a woman is her male relative with whom marriage is Haram (not permissible). It includes her;
- Brother.
- Father.
- Grandfather.
- Step brother.
- Step father.
- Son.
- Paternal and maternal uncles.
- Nephews.
- Father in law.
- Siblings by Radah (breastfeeding by the same mother).
In addition, the husband of a woman is also her mahram.
For Umrah travel, women needed to be accompanied by at least one of her male mahram. In fact, it was a necessary condition for visa approval. Female pilgrims should submit a mahram certificate to confirm their relationship with their male mahram as well. Any woman arriving in Makkah without a male Mahram was not allowed entry.
As of 2019, the policies have changed. Adult Muslim women can travel alone with All Inclusive Cheap Umrah Packages for holy rituals. However, for Hajj, the necessary requirement of a male mahram persists.
Conditions when Travelling Alone
If a woman is travelling alone for Umrah, she must be 18 years old at least. Women under the age of 18 must travel with a guardian.
Female pilgrims intending to offer holy rituals of Umrah in Makkah must get a valid visa. There are two types of visas available; a specific Umrah visa and an Umrah permit on other visa types.
If you are travelling to KSA on a work, visit, or family visa; you can get an Umrah permit on it and perform holy rituals. No need to get a separate visa for Umrah. Umrah permits issued through ‘Nusuk app’ offer you better travel and stay flexibility. Umrah visas, on the other hand, are only for the purpose of holy rituals. You can stay a maximum of month and travel only between Jeddah, Makkah and Madinah on it.
Women performing holy rituals in Makkah without a male mahram must try to stay in accommodations close to Haram. It ensures personal security as well as offers ease of access. You can easily go back and forth between your hotel room and Haram.
As a solo female pilgrim with All Inclusive Umrah Packages from UK you should know of the nearby police stations. So that in case of any emergency, you can refer to the relevant authorities in time. The same goes for health facilities.
Never travel in KSA without carrying your travel essentials. Always keep a copy of your visa, passport, return tickets, hotel accommodation, travel insurance, vaccination certificates and cash.
Things to consider when travelling for Umrah without a Mahram
Get pilgrimage travel and accommodation management services from a credible travel agency. Since you will be on your own in KSA, having professionals to look after logistical aspects grants peace of mind.
Learn some basic Arabic phrases. It will help you communicate better with the locals, especially when travelling and shopping.
Dress modestly in the region. There’s a specific dress code that Saudi women follow, especially in Makkah and Madinah. Respect the local norms and wear clothes that are loose fit, and simple. Let it be for your Ihram or ordinary days.
Spend your time in Ibadah and Dhikr. Since you can easily complete Umrah rituals in a matter of few hours or days depending upon your physical constraints. Utilize the remaining time meaningfully. If possible, perform multiple Umrah in a single trip.
Try to book All Inclusive December Umrah Packages in groups. So that you can have other female pilgrims that you can talk to and ensure a safe pilgrimage experience.
Keep your friends and family back home updated on your whereabouts.
Never travel without buying a comprehensive travel and health insurance plan. Otherwise you might face many inconveniences during the trip. Prefer ATOL protected Umrah packages to save costs.
As of now, women don’t need a male mahram for their Umrah. They can easily get an Umrah visa approved for travelling alone and perform the holy rituals in Makkah. There’s no such restriction now!
