Saudi visas shock

SAUDI Arabia’s Ministry
of Foreign Affairs has
announced a huge hike in
visa fees across all categories,
effective October 2. Umrah,
Hajj, business and family visit
visas now cost applicants
SR2 000 (R7 645) each.
According to the Islamic
calendar, Umrah begins on the
first of Safar (November 1)
and runs for eight months.
With the start date fast
approaching, the new fee
increase has sparked outrage
among the South African
Muslim community.
For Muslims it is compulsory
to complete the Hajj pilgrimage
to Mecca at least once in their
lifetime if they are healthy
and financially fit to do so.
Each year, the Saudi Arabian
government allocates just
2 000 Hajj visas to South
African Muslims. “Despite
thousands of people wanting
to go, you have to go on
a waiting list,” says Yusuf
Abramjee, co-chair of the
newly formed Anti-Visa-Fee
Committee South Africa.
The committee opposes the
increase in the visa fees.
The Umrah pilgrimage to
Mecca is not compulsory
but an unlimited number of
Umrah visas are available
to travellers. Yusuf told TNW
between 150 000 to 250 000
South African Muslims make
the trip each year.
According to Aboobaker
Ahmed, md of XL Flywell Travel,
an Umrah visa used to cost
applicants R1 500.
In response to the visa
increase, a protest was held
in Crosby, Johannesburg, on
October 15. On October 17
the Anti-Visa-Fee Committee
dispatched letters to SA
Minister of International
Relations and Co-operation
with a special letter to the
Saudi Arabian ambassador but
had not received any replies at
the time of going to publish.