NAHCON Confirms Shortage of Umrah Visas, Seeks Resolution

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has officially confirmed a shortage of Umrah visas, particularly during the holy month of Ramadan.

In a statement signed by NAHCON’s Assistant Director of Public Affairs, Fatima Sanda Usara, the commission acknowledged the challenges faced by Nigerian Muslims in obtaining Umrah visas for travel to Saudi Arabia.

NAHCON expressed its commitment to collaborating with relevant stakeholders to find a satisfactory resolution to the visa inaccessibility issue.

The statement highlighted the high demand for Umrah visas during Ramadan as a significant factor exacerbating the shortage.

Furthermore, NAHCON revealed that it has formally communicated its concerns to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia through a letter, outlining the implications of the unavailability of visas for Nigerian tour operators.

Additionally, NAHCON’s chairman, Malam Jalal Ahmad Arabi, personally visited the Saudi Embassy in Nigeria to explore potential solutions to the visa shortage.

The statement attributed the visa shortage to the misuse of privileges granted in the visa issuance process.

It explained that Umrah visas are allocated to countries based on quotas, with Ramadan Umrah visas typically being more expensive.

However, some individuals exploited the visa validity extension by either prolonging their stays in the kingdom or holding onto visas without utilizing them until Ramadan, leading to a shortage of available visa slots for other Nigerians.

Despite occasional visa slots becoming available based on the number of Nigerians departing from Saudi Arabia, NAHCON advised prospective pilgrims to be cautious and strategic in their planning, as paying for such slots is risky.

NAHCON’s statement underscores the importance of responsible visa utilization and highlights the commission’s ongoing efforts to address the challenges faced by Nigerian Muslims seeking to perform Umrah during Ramadan.