By Mustapha Adamu
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has announced that Nigerian intending Pilgrims will henceforth be paying the sum of three hundred Saudi Riyals (SR300) as application fee for Hajj and Umrah visa.
The commission made the announcement in a letter, dated January 20th, 2020 and signed by Abdullahi Moddibo Saleh, the NAHCON’s Commissioner, Operations, Inspectorate and Licensing.
NAHCON, in the later, obtained by Independent Hajj Reporters on Monday, disclosed that it had received a circular ME 10/12/11, dated January 10th from the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, informing it that the Saudi authorities has reviewed application fee for all categories of visa.
According to the letter, the ministry had informed NAHCON that Saudi Arabia authorities, had issued a Royal Decree number M/2, which mandated all Hajj and Umrah intending pilgrims to pay the sum of SR300 application fee.
The letter, titled Re: New Visa Regime by the Saudi Authorities, explained that, an Umrah visa for a single entry, the validity is three months and duration of stay is one month while the application fee is SR300.
“The same applies to multiple entry for Umrah visa, which has the validity of one year at the period of stay of three months at SR300.
“For Hajj visa, the fee is also SR300 throughout the Hajj season,” the letter explained.
The letter further explained the new visa fee is to form part of the Hajj fare for Hajj 2020.
“This is for your information, purpose and record purposes. While thanking you for your support, please accept the assurance of the Chairman/CEO’s esteemed regards at all times,”