Performing Umrah is a deeply spiritual and rewarding experience for Muslims. Pilgrims in Saudi Arabia get to experience Arabian hospitality and a rich cultural heritage. Saudi Arabia welcomes tourists from all over the globe to embark on this religious journey.
The Sultanate of Oman and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) are neighbours of the UAE and are connected by roadways. This makes it easier for UAE tourists and citizens to travel to KSA by private car. If you are planning to go to Umrah by car from the UAE, here is detailed information on visa obligations and entry rules.
Going to Umrah in Your Own Car from the UAE
If you are going to Umrah in your own car from the UAE, there are some important considerations to keep in mind. Let’s start with the visa requirements first.
Visa Requirements
All Umrah pilgrims are required to obtain services from a licensed operator for an Umrah visa. An Umrah visa is an e-visa issued by KSA to Umrah pilgrims. Through this visa, an Umrah pilgrim can freely travel between Mecca, Medina and other cities of KSA during the visa validity period.
A visa application will be made on your behalf by the Umrah travel operator. To reach KSA by road, GCC nationals and UAE expatriate residents must travel in groups under the supervision of their tour operator.
In the UAE, the Department of Hajj and Umrah at the General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowments (Awqaf) is responsible for establishing rules concerning contractors managing pilgrims’ affairs and Hajj and Umrah excursions.
That said, if you do not want to indulge in the hassle of visa obligations, there are many visa-free places for UAE residents to visit including Sri Lanka, Maldives, Georgia and many others.
Visa Validity
The Umrah visa is valid for use for 30 days. This means that once the visa is issued, an Umrah pilgrim can travel to Saudi Arabia within 30 days from the issuance date.
Documents Required
A desirous Umrah pilgrim must submit the following documents to obtain the visa:
- Applicant’s passport copy
- Applicant’s passport-sized photograph
- UAE visa copy
Travel to Umrah by Car from the UAE
KSA is a drive of about 14 to 15 hours from the UAE if you are planning to travel to Umrah by private car. In case there is heavy traffic at the border, it could take up to 18 hours to reach KSA. The travel time might also increase due to border inspections. That said, there are two borders that you must pass through, including Al Ghuweifat and Al Batha.
However, there are certain obligations to fulfil before you can drive your car outside the UAE. These are detailed below.
Obligations for driving your car outside the UAE
If you are an expat living in Dubai with your car registered in the Emirate, you must first obtain a Tourism Certificate from Dubai RTA – Roads and Transport Authority. When operating a vehicle as a tourist outside of the UAE, this certificate is required. But, if you are a citizen of the GCC or the UAE, you are exempt from obtaining an RTA tourism certificate.
Moreover, if the car registered in Dubai is not in your name, you must obtain an RTA Clearance Certificate. This certificate certifies that there are no limitations (mortgage) or outstanding traffic penalties associated with the vehicle.
Also, to enter Saudi Arabia, you must have car insurance coverage. The pricing of car insurance defines its validity period. You must purchase new insurance if your current policy expires upon returning to the UAE via Saudi Arabia. Comprehensive car insurance in Dubai or any other Emirate offers coverage when driving your car outside the UAE.
That is all about travelling to Umrah by private car from the UAE. While flying to KSA from anywhere in the UAE usually takes an hour or two, a road trip for Umrah pilgrims is a more adventurous way to reach Mecca. However, your car must be fit for such long routes. Browse these used cars for sale in the UAE and buy a car ideal for such trips.
That said if you want to travel from UAE to Qatar, read here for the details of the travel modes and visa requirements.
Keep connected with dubizzle car’s blog for more information on transport in the UAE.
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