Umrah visas: The 55-64 age group tops the season's statistics
The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah revealed exceptional figures reflecting the increasing demand for performing Umrah rituals, with the total number of Umrah visas issued from the beginning of Muharram until the end of Ramadan reaching approximately 11.3 million. These figures confirm the success of efforts made to facilitate the arrival of pilgrims from around the world and to provide a comprehensive and accessible spiritual experience.
The historical development of serving pilgrims and Vision 2030
Throughout history, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has considered serving the Two Holy Mosques and their visitors a paramount priority. With the launch of Vision 2030, the Hajj and Umrah sector has undergone a strategic transformation aimed at hosting 30 million pilgrims annually. This historic development has not only included massive architectural expansions of the Two Holy Mosques but also the modernization of infrastructure and the streamlining of Umrah visa procedures, making them fully digital. This reflects the wise leadership's commitment to providing the highest quality services to Muslims worldwide.
The age groups that most frequently obtain Umrah visas
Official data revealed that the 55-64 age group topped the list of Umrah pilgrims, with over 2.15 million visas issued to this segment, making it the most popular. The 45-54 age group came in second with approximately 2 million visas, followed by the 35-44 age group with over 1.95 million visas. This clearly reflects the strong presence of middle-aged individuals. In contrast, younger age groups saw relatively lower numbers; the 25-34 age group received around 1.65 million visas, followed by the 65+ age group with approximately 1.6 million, then the 15-24 age group with over 1.09 million. The 0-14 age group came in last with approximately 871,000 visas. Concurrently with these figures, visa issuance was suspended starting from the first of Shawwal, as part of intensive organizational preparations for the Hajj season.
The economic and international impact of the increasing number of Umrah pilgrims
This growing demand for performing the Hajj rituals is of paramount importance and far-reaching impact. Domestically, the influx of millions of pilgrims contributes to revitalizing the national economy, supporting the hospitality, transportation, and retail sectors, creating thousands of jobs, and bolstering the GDP. Regionally and internationally, this organizational success reinforces the Kingdom's position as the beating heart of the Islamic world and underscores its exceptional ability to manage massive crowds efficiently and effectively, leaving a profoundly positive impression on Muslims worldwide and strengthening cultural and religious ties between peoples.
Digital transformation and the integrated “Nusk” system
In a related context, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, through its Deputy Minister, Dr. Abdul Fattah bin Sulaiman Mashat, affirmed that the Umrah and visitation system is undergoing a radical transformation at all stages of the spiritual journey. During a dialogue session at the third edition of the Umrah and Visitation Forum, the comprehensive digital transformation via the “Nusk” platform and application was highlighted. This application has contributed to expanding the scope of services, with over 51 million users worldwide, providing comprehensive services covering all aspects of the journey. The Ministry also explained that pilgrims interact with more than 20 entities upon arrival at the airport, all working in complete harmony to serve them. The Kingdom's airports have achieved advanced global rankings, with the continued development of terminals, increased capacity, and successful management of challenges and facilitation of air traffic despite regional circumstances, ensuring a smooth and safe experience for all arrivals.
