According to a leaflet issued by the consulate in Karachi, Saudi Arabia has eased travel restrictions on pilgrims travelling to the Kingdom for Umrah.
According to the pamphlet, men under 40 can now travel to the Kingdom for Umrah without family. In contrast, women under 45 can travel to Saudi Arabia for the pilgrimage without “mehram” [male guardians].
The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has previously published guidelines for women travelling for the pilgrimage without male attendants.
The Ministry gave the details and said that the woman wishing to travel without a mehram [male guardian] could obtain a visa for Umrah, but she must be over 45 years of age.
The Kingdom Ministry said that local travel agencies must form an all-women group.
He further explained that women under 45 must accompany a male guardian [mehram] to perform the pilgrimage.
