Saudi Gov’t Cancels Biometric Record Requirement for Hajj/Umrah Visa

Ministry of Religious Affairs confirmed that the Government of Saudi Arabia cancelled the obligation of biometric record for hajj/umrah pilgrims as a condition for visa issuance.

“Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Indonesia said that with the issuance of Decision of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Number 43313 dated 4/8/1440 Hijri year or 9 April 2019, the implementation of biometric record is not required as a condition to issue visa for hajj/umrah pilgrims,” a release of the Saudi Arabian Embassy in Indonesia dated 22 April 2019 reads.

Director General for Hajj and Umrah at Ministry of Religious Affairs Nizar, on Wednesday (24/4), has confirmed that new policy. “I am confirming that the release is true,” he said.

In response to that policy, Nizar will issue a circular addressed to all heads of the ministry’s regional offices in all provinces in Indonesia. The Director General went on to say that based on that release, a visa can be issued without biometric record.

“Pilgrims’ biometric features will be recorded at airports in Madinah and Jeddah, unless for those who had recorded their data in Indonesia,” he said.

Director for Internal Hajj Services at Ministry of Religious Affairs Muhajirin Yanis added that biometric recording services through VFS Tasheel are still open only for areas that are accessible to that services.

“For pilgrims living in remote areas, the recording will be done upon their arrival in Madinah and Jeddah,” Yanis stated.

For the record, 152 thousand pilgrims or 65 percent of the total Indonesia’s hajj pilgrims have recorded biometric features as of Tuesday (23/4). (Ministry of Religious Affairs PR/ES)

Translated by : Rany Anjany Subachrum
Edited by : Mia Medyana Bonaedy