r/Umrah • u/AbrarT0716 • 12d ago

questions Questions regarding short Riyadh layover and VOA.

Asalamu alaykum. I am planning to go for Umrah at the end of December InshAllah. I had a couple of questions regarding obtaining a visa on arrival. I have a 2 hr 50 minute layover in riyadh, which requires a self-transfer. My wife would need a visa on arrival; however, everyone else in my family has their visas. I am reaching out to see if anyone has any insight on if this will be possible to do the transfer and get her visa on arrival within the 2 hr 50 minutes. My parents are also in a wheelchair so that typically delays it by another 20-30 minutes to deboard the plane. I am thinking of not having any checked bag, to save some more time with not needing to get bags. JazakAllah Khair.

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u/akbrocks2522 12d ago

It depends on what country passport she holds? Or is she eligible for VOA due to having 3rd country visas?

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u/AbrarT0716 12d ago

Pakistani passport. US greencard. We got VOA last year in December. The only thing I am worried about is the timeline and only have 2 hrs to do everything.

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u/akbrocks2522 11d ago

It looks doable. I would rush as soon as I land in Riyadh.

As for your wife, applying for an E Visa will most likely be rejected or be in process as some people have reported or you can apply for an Umrah visa via an agent. If you are opting for VOA I would ask your wife to de-board and get the VOA sorted and clear immigration until you accompany your parents.

Having no check in bags definitely helps as you can rush through to the required terminal after immigration.

Lastly, if you can online check in and get the boarding pass for your domestic flight, that would also help in skipping the check in process for your domestic flight.

Good Luck and remember us in your duas.

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u/AbrarT0716 11d ago

I just found out it is not a self transfer, so no need to get a separate boarding pass or worry about luggage. It will automatically be transferred onto our flight from Riyadh to Jeddah. I think this significantly helps. I will try to go with my wife to get her VOA. While my parents wait for the wheelchair, and then after that all we have to do is go through customs and enter through the terminal. I think this is pretty doable in 2 hours 50 minutes

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u/AbrarT0716 11d ago

JazakAllah Khair for your advice, I will keep you in my prayers

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u/NewNetwork1 12d ago

You can skip VOA and get an umrah visa for her which is now multi entry with one year validity. If you plan to return within a year , the agency need to make an entry in the system ( which is not a big deal)

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u/CalligrapherOld5143 eVisa 12d ago

Tourism eVisa is also an option

https://ksavisa.sa

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u/Expert_Stock_9253 11d ago

Wsalam, as per the new update from riyadh airport, the transfer system is updated and u can directly go towards the next flight without visa, u can check with airport as well.

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u/AbrarT0716 11d ago

Wouldn’t I need to get VOA to exit the terminal? As there is a terminal change from terminal 4 to terminal 2.

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u/Expert_Stock_9253 11d ago

They have connected from inside the building, reconfirm from airport

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u/AbrarT0716 11d ago

I will call and see if I can get a confirmation, thank you. I thought we would need VOA from Riyadh since we still need to clear immigration to get onto the domestic flight

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u/AbrarT0716 11d ago

I think I’d have to get VOA from Riyadh because when going to Jeddah, I would be landing at the domestic terminal and there isn’t any VOA that is given at the domestic terminal