E-service for Umrah expanded

The Ministry of Haj has started implementing electronic service for Umrah pilgrims this year.
“We have received applications for 700 Umrah visas through the new system, including 280 from Indonesia, 227 from South Africa, 43 from Pakistan, 30 from US, 29 from Kenya, 25 from Turkey and 50 other countries,” the ministry said in a statement yesterday.
The ministry is conducting a series of studies for developing its administrative infrastructure and improving operational performance of Haj and Umrah service companies.
The ministry is developing its Haj and Umrah strategy with the support of a specialized consultancy. The new strategy aims at strengthening the ministry’s electronic services. The ministry said it would provide all its services electronically and has taken a number of initiatives.
“We have invested a lot of money to develop our e-service platform and improve our electronic links with foreign agents.”
Last year, more than 5.5 million foreign pilgrims performed Umrah.