FAQ : Frequently asked questions

Your passport must be valid for at least six months after your planned return date. For example, if you plan to return on 01/01/2024, your passport must be valid until at least June of the same year (01/06/2024).

For tourist/Omra visas intended exclusively for holders of Western passports, the application process is virtually instantaneous.

However, for foreign passport holders, the process of obtaining an Omra visa involves several stages, which can take from 3 to 15 days depending on the responsiveness of each party involved:

• Receipt of original documents at our agency.
• Processing and application via the dedicated Saudi portal.
• Processing by the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
• Receipt of agreement and MOFA number authorizing visa issuance.
• Submission of passports and other documents to the Saudi Arabian Consulate  for verification.
• Consular authorization after verification of applicant’s documents.
• Visa issued.

Yes, it is possible to perform Umrah on a tourist visa. The Saudi authorities allow travelers with tourist visas to perform Umrah. However, pilgrims wishing to perform Umrah are advised to check the specific visa requirements and ensure that they are in compliance with current regulations. At Mecca 4 You, we’re here to guide you through the visa formalities and assist you at every stage of your sacred journey to ensure a smooth and memorable experience.

If you are planning to perform Umrah on a tourist visa (for European passports), prior vaccination is generally not required. However, for pilgrims planning to perform Umrah on a specific Umrah visa, it is imperative to be vaccinated against Meningitis ACYW135 before the trip. This vaccination requirement aims to protect the health of pilgrims and prevent the spread of contagious diseases in pilgrimage sites.

It is important to note that the Saudi authorities only accept yellow WHO (World Health Organization) vaccination booklets. Any other format of booklet, prescription or certificate will not be accepted by the Saudi Arabian consulate. Therefore, it is strongly recommended to check specific vaccination requirements and ensure compliance before traveling on Umrah.

At Mecca 4 You, we’re here to guide you through every step of your Umrah journey, including vaccination requirements. Our team is at your disposal to answer any questions you may have and to assist you in your pre-departure preparations.

At Mecca 4 You, we attach great importance to respecting religious values and Islamic legal opinions. In line with our position on this issue, we do not take responsibility for accepting women on their own for Umrah trips.

A woman can travel with Mecca 4 You only if she is accompanied by her religious guardian, also known as a mahram. A mahram can be her husband, father, brother, son, uncle, etc. For more details on who qualifies as a mahram, please contact us. We’re here to answer all your questions and help you plan your Umrah trip.

At present, it is not compulsory to be vaccinated against Covid-19 before traveling on Umrah. However, Saudi authorities may introduce specific vaccination requirements at any time. We therefore recommend that you consult the latest guidelines and recommendations from the health and consular authorities concerning vaccination requirements for Umrah travel.

To best organize your luggage for your Umrah trip, we recommend that you take into account various factors, such as the length of your stay, your personal needs and local weather conditions. Although Saudi Arabia offers a diverse range of products, it’s always a good idea to take a few precautions to ensure a comfortable, hassle-free trip.

Based on our experience, here is a comprehensive list of items we recommend you take with you:

• Pocket books (Quran, invocations…)
• Head cushion
• Sleep mask / Ear plugs
• Good sunglasses
• A complete toiletry kit, including personal hygiene products and essential medicines
• A change of clothes suitable for the duration of your stay, including qamis for men
• A pair of comfortable sandals for Umrah, as well as a pair of sports shoes for physical activities
• A practical bag to carry your personal belongings in complete safety
• Your personal medical treatments, in sufficient quantity for the duration of your stay
• Common medicines such as doliprane and vitamins to prevent fatigue
• A plug adapter for recharging your electronic devices
• A power strip to plug in several appliances simultaneously
• A pair of scissors for women, useful for cutting hair after Umrah
• An adequate amount of cash for personal expenses, with a little extra for contingencies.

It’s also advisable to choose spacious, sturdy suitcases to accommodate your belongings, while avoiding unnecessary clutter to avoid the extra expense of excess baggage on your return.

Don’t forget that this list can be adapted to suit your specific needs and personal preferences. If you have any further questions or need assistance in preparing for your Umrah trip, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We’re here to help you every step of the way.

Yes, at Mecca 4 You, we’re committed to accompanying you every step of the way on your Umrah journey. From the moment you register and apply for your visa, right through to your return to your country, we’re with you every step of the way. Our team will welcome you on your arrival in Saudi Arabia and accompany you on all your planned visits and activities.

The only time you won’t be physically accompanied may be during the outward and return flights. However, we ensure a constant connection via WhatsApp to answer your questions and offer you real-time assistance, inshaa Allah. We make a point of ensuring that your experience is serene and well-supervised from start to finish.

Yes, at Mecca 4 You, we ensure that all women-only tours are led by experienced escorts. We understand the importance of a comfortable and respectful environment, and ensure that our escorts offer support and assistance tailored to the specific needs of female travelers. Whether you’re on a cultural, spiritual or sightseeing tour, you’ll always be well looked after and accompanied for a safe and enriching experience.

Yes, as soon as you arrive and after a well-deserved rest, we’ll organize an information meeting. This meeting is designed to brief you on accessing local amenities such as currency exchange offices, buying phone chips, grocery stores and pharmacies. We want to ensure that you are well informed and prepared to make the most of your stay in Saudi Arabia. Our aim is to make your experience as pleasant and hassle-free as possible, by providing you with all the information you need right from the start of your trip.

When you arrive at the airport in Saudi Arabia, our team will be there to welcome you. We’ll accompany you to your accommodation. We’ll make sure that this process is smooth and stress-free, so that you can start your stay with complete peace of mind.

Mecca 4 You offers several transportation options to suit your needs. We offer shuttle services for transfers between the airport, hotel and various sites. You can also opt for private chauffeurs for added comfort and flexibility. Our vehicles are modern, air-conditioned and designed to ensure your comfort and safety throughout your stay.

Absolutely! We encourage our travelers to discover local markets and go shopping. Whether you’re looking for souvenirs, clothing or local produce, we can advise you on the best places to visit. Guided tours can also include stops at popular markets to give you an authentic experience.

The health and safety of our travelers is our top priority. We will provide you with information on health protocols to follow. In case of medical need, we have contacts with local health centers and pharmacies. We recommend that you follow local guidelines, maintain good hygiene and report any health problems to our team immediately.

Yes, at Mecca 4 You we make sure that our guides are French-speaking to facilitate communication and enrich your experience. Our guides are experienced and familiar with the places you’ll be visiting, enabling them to provide detailed and interesting explanations in English.

You can exchange money at exchange offices located at the airport, in hotels or in shopping malls. We can advise you on the most reliable places offering the best exchange rates.

Yes, in addition to religious visits, we offer a variety of excursions and cultural activities. You can discover historical sites, natural landscapes and local attractions. Excursions to Jeddah, visits to palm groves and walks in the mountains are among the options available. See our program of activities for more details.

We maintain constant communication with our travelers via several channels. Upon arrival, you will receive the contact details of our local representatives. We also use WhatsApp for fast and efficient communications. You can contact us at any time for questions, special requests or emergencies.

Schedules for tours and daily activities will be given to you at the briefing on arrival. Visits generally start early in the morning, to take advantage of the cooler weather and avoid peak times. Breaks are provided for meals and prayers. We make sure that the program is well-balanced so that you can make the most of every activity.

Yes, it’s important to respect local dress codes. For men, this includes modest clothing, covering shoulders and knees. For women, an abaya and hijab are required in public places. Our guides will give you more details at the information meeting and can answer any questions you may have on this subject.