Srinagar : As cooler weather draws a record number of pilgrims to Makkah and Madina, Saudi Arabia has unveiled a sweeping overhaul of Umrah regulations—cutting visa validity from three months to one month and mandating stricter compliance across all stages of travel.

According to Al Arabiya , the new rules, which take effect next week, specify that all unused Umrah visas will be automatically cancelled 30 days after issuance. However, the permitted stay duration inside the Kingdom remains three months for those who enter within the validity period.

Officials say the move is aimed at preventing overcrowding in the holy cities, especially during the winter months when Umrah activity surges. Since June, over four million Umrah visas have been issued — a record high in less than five mont

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