How to Score a Free Umrah Trip in 2023?

Umrah is such a religious pilgrimage that every Muslim wishes to perform at least once in his lifetime. Though a sunnah pilgrimage and not an obligatory one, millions of pilgrims travel for it annually through their Umrah Packages and offer the holy rituals. The reasons for it are many; from the completion of the sunnah act of worship to the rewards and bounties it holds for the pilgrims. 

Just like any other international travel, traveling for Umrah also requires the pilgrims to fulfill the necessary requisites of foreign travel. From getting your visas approved to the hotel and travel management – one has to take care of everything. Therefore, traveling for Umrah also requires a person to spend hefty finances. 

Yet, at the same time, if you want to score a free Umrah trip in 2023, there are multiple ways to do that. Here’s a brief description of them.

Joining an NGO and/or charity organization.

Many NGOs as well as charity organizations arrange for free Umrah trips for their volunteers as well as other people, being a part of their charitable work. Therefore, inquire about reputable charity organizations that do authentic work for the sake of Allah Almighty. Fulfilling their eligibility criteria and application process, score a free Umrah trip from them. 

Note that the applicants may be required to submit financial proof or any other specific requirements, confirming their eligibility for a free Umrah trip.  

Entering a luck draw and/or competition.

There are various travel agencies, trusts, and other organizations that hold free Umrah lucky draws as well as competitions with free Umrah trips as prizes. Always keep an eye out for all such competitions happening in your locality and even online. Following all the rules of participation, try out your luck to score a free Umrah trip. 

Usually, such competitions or lucky draws are based on some sort of social media or marketing work for the specific organization, thus, keep yourself engaged and active to maximize your chances of winning.

The prominent names in this regard are;

1. Hajj Umrah Online Lucky Draw.

• On the official website of Hajj Umrah Online, click and open the ‘I am Lucky’ form.
• Select the ‘Umrah’ option and enter the number of times you’ve gone for the minor pilgrimage.
• Fill in all the necessary personal details (as required).
• Fill out the captcha.
• Click on the ‘submit’ option and enter the lucky draw.

2. Al Mustafa Trust Lucky Draw.

• Visit the official website of Al Mustafa Trust.
• Enter the lucky draw by giving your information in the desired form.

3. El Sawy Travel Lucky Draw.

• Browse the official website of El Sawy Travel.
• Enter your email address, first name, and last name.
• Turn the marketing permission ‘on’, and choose how you want to receive their newsletter.
• Click on the ‘subscribe’ option to enter the lucky draw for scoring a free Umrah trip in 2023.

Volunteer for Umrah group work.

Many agencies across the globe may offer free trips to the individuals volunteering to help out in the Umrah group work during the pilgrimage. It can be anything from travel management to pilgrimage assistance. 

So, for any such opportunities, it is advised for you to Contact Umrah groups present in your locality or search online to better know of the eligibility criteria.

Apply for a scholarship.

Some foundations offer scholarships for individuals intending to offer Umrah rituals but don’t have sufficient financial means to sponsor their travel. So go online to find out all about such organizations and apply.

So, these are some of the ways that can help your score a free Umrah trip in 2023.

How Much is Umrah Visa Fee?

Umrah is a religious pilgrimage to Mecca. It is called the foremost of all pilgrimages, and because it is among the Five Pillars of Islam, Muslims must perform Umrah at least once in their lifetime. Umrah package provides everything needed for the trip – from visa to luggage and food - all bundled together into one set price, meaning you avoid any hassles of looking for airlines and hotels. There are many ways to save money on Umrah packages all-inclusive and some tips on saving money include:

• Think about what you can do without (so as not to be overcharged) 

• Travel in off-peak seasons when prices are lower 

• Pack your own snacks and more!

The Best Way to Save on Cheap Umrah Packages

The Umrah is a sacred journey for every Muslim. If you've been planning for your Umrah trip, you might be wondering if you can still save on it. This section will share top tips to help you save on your package cost.

• Get the best deal: The first and most important step is to find the best deal that fits your needs and budget. Many websites provide a list of cheap packages to choose from.

• Choose when to travel: Many people often think they should travel only during Ramadan or Hajj, but there are other times when flying is cheaper. So, take time to consider what time of year would work best for you. 

• Book early: If possible, try booking your trip far in advance so that there is enough time before traveling to secure the cheapest prices. As an alternative, if there's not enough time before traveling, make sure to buy your plane ticket as soon as you can.

• Know your rights: Before you book, know your rights to cancel, change your booking, and refund policies.

• Book a flight that's not full and on the same day: If possible, try to book a flight that doesn't have many other people on it and is not one of the days of prayer. The chances are there will be no conflict with religious beliefs or flights being canceled because people are praying on them.

• Think creatively to find cheaper rates: Some creative ways to save money include rebooking into a later period. 

How Much is Umrah Visa Fee from the UK to Jeddah?

The Umrah Visa is a document that is provided by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah upon request and provides entry into the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for up to four days to perform Hajj.

The Umrah visa application fee is equivalent to an amount equivalent to $500, which needs to be paid in Singapore dollars on arrival in Jeddah. For this visa type to be issued, a certain minimum number of people have to be present at one time who are within the following categories: The following groups are exempt from this requirement: Note that these exemptions only apply to the first group listed. For instance, if a group of two Indian nationals and one British national were intending on being issued visas to Jeddah, they would not be exempt from meeting the number of people in this category.

The Umrah visa fee has not been fixed yet by Saudi Arabia. The duration of an Umrah Visa can be anywhere between 1-4 days, depending on the country of residence Umrah visa is a non-tourist visa that allows its holders to visit Saudi Arabia. The visa is issued for the duration of the trip and allows entry into Saudi Arabia on one or two specific dates.

Umrah visas are priced according to the country you are traveling from, with the UK being less expensive than other countries. The number of UK travelers to Saudi Arabia has increased by 12% over recent years, reaching 1 million per year in 2016. One reason for this increase is because British citizens living in Jeddah and Riyadh can now apply online for an Umrah visa from within the United Kingdom