Saudi Arabia has announced that Muslims who hold FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 tickets will be allowed to enter the kingdom and perform Umrah without a visa.
According to a statement issued by the Saudi authorities, fans participating in the Football World Cup scheduled in Qatar between November 20 and December 18 will be eligible to perform Umrah free of charge for those with a Hiya Card document.
An international news agency quoted Khaled Al-Shamri, assistant director of the visa department at the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as saying that Hiya card holders can stay in Saudi Arabia for two months ending on January 11, 2023.
“The visa is free but medical insurance must be obtained from the visa platform,” Shamri told the media.
He added that cardholders will be allowed multiple entries into the Kingdom during a specified two-month period without any compulsion to demonstrate entry into Qatar.
Along with the host country, the participants in the tournament will also stay in the neighboring countries of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman and the United Arab Emirates.
During the tournament, 160 shuttle service flights will operate daily from cities in the Gulf region to and from Doha.
Additionally, the UAE is also offering multiple entry visas to Football World Cup ticket holders for a nominal fee of 100 dirhams (about Rs 6,000).
