How many days is best for Umrah?
Umrah is a sunnah pilgrimage for Muslims. While it is not obligatory, it holds similar and equivalent rewards to that of a Hajj pilgrimage. That’s why millions of Muslims travel every year with Umrah Packages from USA and offer the holy rituals in Makkah.
Considering the non-obligatory nature of Umrah, it can be performed any time of the year by a pilgrim. One can travel for the holy rituals at a time that best suits his/her budget and personal preferences. So, the number of days required for Umrah travel would differ for every individual.
How many days are required for Umrah performance?
Umrah consists of four primary rituals only, once you arrive in the holy land. Namely;
- Assuming the state of Ihram before crossing the Meeqat boundary.
- Performing Tawaf of the Holy Kaabah.
- Sayee of Safah and Marwah hills within the premises of Masjid-al-Haram.
- Halq/Taqsir (shaving or trimming of hair).
If a pilgrim performs all of these rituals consecutively, then Umrah can be completed in a total of 4-5 hours within the same day. But New York agencies offer the Umrah Packages New York minimum of 7 days. So, as far as the days required for Umrah performance are concerned; one day is more than enough for a healthy and adult pilgrim.
On the other hand, elderly people or those who have physical constraints may require more time for Umrah rituals.
Umrah travel duration:
Usually, pilgrims travelling for Umrah rituals consider getting a package that is 7-day long or 14-day long at maximum.
7 Days:
A week-long Umrah trip remains a popular choice for the pilgrims who have a very limited time for the holy rotulas. Let it be work commitments, or longer travels involved. Therefore, a 7-day Umrah travel offers you sufficient time to perform the holy rituals with ease as well as visit Masjid-al-Nabawi (SAWW) in Madinah.
A 7-day duration for Umrah is usually advised for individuals whose core focus is performing the minor pilgrimage only.
10 Days:
A 10-day long Umrah stay offers a more relaxed time for performing the holy rituals especially if you are travelling with family. Since you have a lot of time to spare in the region, not only you can get involved in acts of worship but also opt for Ziyarath travel to the holy sites present in Makkah and Madinah.
Therefore, we can say that 10 days of Umrah is ideal for those who wish to immerse themselves more deeply in acts of worship with the possibility of visiting significant historical sites in the region.
Extended Stays (14 Days or More):
Pilgrims opting for a 14-day long Umrah travel duration have an approach to offer the holy rituals as well as explore the region and do shopping in both Makkah and Madinah. This is also the best type of package you can get for families when travelling during the vacation period or in the month of Ramadan because the extended stay period offers a lot of flexibility for you.
Visa restrictions:
Umrah visa:
The number of days you can stay in the region for Umrah rituals is also affected by the visa restrictions. In most cases, the Umrah visa only allows a stay of 14 days at the maximum in Saudia Arabia. This means you have to offer the holy rituals within two weeks and then depart from the kingdom on the 15th day of your arrival date.
However, you will notice that your Umrah visa has a validity of 30 days printed on it but the extra 15 days’ time is given to compensate for any travel delays or emergencies.
Overstaying your visa is a criminal offence that can result in legal prosecution, penalties and even deportation from Saudia Arabia. So, one should avoid all costs. If you want to extend your stay duration in Makkah or Madinah, you must obtain permission from the relevant authorities first.
Umrah on a visit visa:
If you are travelling for Umrah on a visit visa to the kingdom, the specific rules and regulations vary because a visit visa allows you a stay of 90 days in the region per entry and is a multiple entry visa for a year. So, it’s best to get the latest updates from the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah.
In short, the number of days best for Umrah travel is different for every pilgrim. For an informed decision, you can consult Hajj and Umrah Agency USA and they will help you determine the best travel duration for your needs and budget.