Raffexpat
Hi,
I initially approached the embassy myself but they prefer to deal with the agents. So i submitted my passport to one of those pilgrim agencies.
They generally assist in 3 types of visas: Haj visa ( to visit Mecca) during the haj period which has just passed, Umrah visa ( to visit Mecca) good for the rest of the year except the two months directly after Haj since this is their clean-up time once the 2 million + pilgrims have left, or a transit visa ( generally available anytime of the year ).
So I went through one of these 'Hamlas' ( arabic word to describe these Saudi pilgrim agencies). They just bundle your transit request with all the other egyptian, jordanian, syrians etc who plan to transit Saudi on their way home. It should only take a day or two as long as you have a visa for the other end, and is cheap!
Hope this helps,
H A
|