Frequently Asked Questions

No, vaccination against Covid-19 is no longer required.

The Saudi tourist visa is valid for one year, and each entry can last up to 90 days. All Norwegian citizens can easily apply for and obtain a tourist visa. The Umrah visa mainly applies to people without a Schengen passport or those traveling on a travel document. It is valid for a single entry and usually costs about NOK 1,000 more than the tourist visa. In certain periods, Saudi authorities have introduced quota systems for countries such as Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan — visa processing for these nationalities may then take longer. In addition, the entire journey must be booked and confirmed through the Nusuk platform, making the process more involved than with a tourist visa.

Travelers to Saudi Arabia should in principle be vaccinated against meningitis, but this is usually not checked.

You receive the invoice from us after the cancellation (cooling-off) period has expired.

Depending on when you cancel, you receive a refund in accordance with the Norwegian Package Travel Act. This is also specified in your booking confirmation.

To pay by card you must visit our office in person. Credit card payments carry a 3% surcharge.

We recommend that everyone takes out travel insurance before buying a package from us.

You can only perform Umrah for someone who is unable to perform it themselves — in practice, someone who has passed away or is so severely disabled that they cannot do it themselves.

In the state of ihram it is not permitted to use sunscreen, as it contains perfume/alcohol. This applies only while in ihram.

Before departure we hold a course with a thorough walkthrough of how to perform Umrah. During the trip we also hold a repeat session, and for the first Umrah a group leader/imam accompanies the group. Our app also contains full information on performing Umrah, including duas to recite.

Once registered as a traveler, you will find our agenda in the Mishkaat app together with detailed trip information. You don't need to follow the group rigidly — the program is voluntary.

When you buy a package through us, we hold a dedicated training session covering what to do before departure, including a practical information booklet with a packing list. You will also find this at minside.mishkaat.no.

Depending on the composition of the group, we provide both Norwegian- and Urdu-speaking imams/group leaders.

Only breakfast is included.

You may bring 30 kg of checked baggage (max 2 pieces) plus 8 kg of hand luggage. You may also buy a 5-liter bottle of ZamZam at the airport — this comes in addition to regular baggage. ZamZam is not allowed inside suitcases.

To order a wheelchair or assistance, you must tick the relevant box in your visa application. This covers wheelchairs at the airports only, not in Makkah and Medina.

Your ticket is in the app and also under My Page. The ticket is electronic — you only need to show your passport at the counter to receive your boarding pass.

Women traveling for Umrah should make sure their menstrual cycle does not fall at the time they intend to perform Umrah. Talk to your GP for the best advice.