Lando Travels Private Limited has commenced preparations to issue visas to travel to Saudi Arabia for Umrah pilgrimage, as the exclusive holder of rights to issue Umrah visas for Maldivians through the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
Speaking to PSM News, Managing Director of Lando Travels Aminath Reema Rasheed said the company has introduced visa packages for Umrah pilgrimage, inclusive of accommodation, PCR testing and medical insurance. Reema said three packages have been offered to companies taking pilgrims to Saudi Arabia, for trip durations of 5 days, 10 days and 14 days respectively. She said 24 people can be taken under the same package, noting the final price to be paid for the pilgrimage will be decided by the Umrah companies.
The managing director said the packages introduced by Lando Travels will be in place for two months, adding the prices of the packages will change depending on the changes brought to restrictions imposed by the Saudi government. She noted application for visas will be carried out by Umrah companies, rather than by individual pilgrims.
Saudi Arabia has recently eased the controls placed on the entry of pilgrims due to the COVID-19 pandemic, allowing up to 2 million people to enter the country every month. However, only individuals over the age of 18 who have completed both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine will be permitted to enter Saudi Arabia.