How many times a year does Qalam go on Umrah?

Four times, alhamdulillah.

• Once in the spring for Seerah Umrah,
• Once in the summer for Summer Umrah,
• Once in the winter for Winter Umrah,
• Once in the fall for Fall Umrah.

Is there financial aid, family or other discounts available for Umrah?

• We do not have financial aid available.
• Early bird discounts are available for most of our travel, and this applies to umrah as well. Please reach out to travel@qalaminstitute.org after reading the rest of our FAQ, and we can help you in time for you to make the discount, insha'Allah.
• Rooms have a maximum capacity of four adults as per hotel policy.
• Children over the age of 10 require beds.

If I am not located in the United States, can I still go on Umrah with you?

• Yes, we would love to have you join us! Alhamdulillah, our travel groups have people from all over the world.
• However, we recommend reading the entireity of the travel program you want to come to. Our partners at Dar El Salam are more than willing to help you throughout the visa and travel process.
• Alhamdulillah, the Saudi Government has now opened up tourist visas to several countries, including those in the European Union, the UK, Malaysia, Singapore, and Australia. To see if you are able to acquire a tourist visa, please click here.

• Please email both qalamumrah@darelsalam.com and travel@qalaminstitute.org, and we can help you with your flight arrangements after you purchase your land package.

Which airport do you leave from? Are there connecting flights?

• We leave from certain airports in the United States, however, we have land packages available that Dar El Salam can help you arrange. Please see the program you're looking at for more details.
• Guests are responsible for booking their connecting flights.
• Dar El Salam can also help you book international flights from other gateways that may be closer to you.

Do women need a mahram in order to go to Saudi Arabia?

• Alhamdulillah, sisters over 18 can now visit the Kingdom with the new tourist visa without a mahram. Dar El Salam submits the application for the sister's tourist visa when she fulfills her deposit.

What documents do I need? What else should I bring?

• You will need a passport that is valid from one of these countries.
• The passport must be valid for 6 months except for USA citizens.
• Find a complete packing list here.

What COVID-19 restrictions are in place?

• You must be masked at all times and practice social distancing. Individual prayer rugs are not required. If you are not masked, you will face a fine of 10,000 riyals.
• You must be fully vaccinated and boosted, including children.
• For the Kaaba, you must reserve a spot to pray in the Haram using the Eatmarna (أعتمرنا) app for every salah. The reservations open at 12:00pm every day.
• You can only do umrah once every 15 days, also by reservation on the app. You will be given a 3 hour window to start and complete your umrah.
• For the Rawdah, you can only pray and do ziyara once every 30 days. You must reserve a spot with another app. You have a 30 minute window within Masjid al-Nabawi, with 10 minutes in the Rawdah, socially distanced.
• Masjid Quba is open 24/7. You may walk 1.7 miles there from Masjid Nabawi. Uhud is open as well.
• Men may pray in Jannatul Baqee only when a janazah is proceeding there.

Why are seats limited?

• There are a few factors that are contributing to the low availability of seats:
• First, is that as of November, Saudi authorities are only allowing inbound flights from two airlines - their own (Saudi) and Qatar Airways. In previous years, Turkish Airlines, Ettihad, Egypt Air and others all provided ways to travel to Umrah - this year, the limitation in airline allowance is leading to a limitation in seating availability.
• Second, the winter break holiday is the primary time that students from Saudi who study abroad return home to visit their families before flying back to their school campuses for the new year. This traffic alone produces a significant amount of strain on availability.
• Third, with the Holy Cities reopening for visiting pilgrims, the interest and demand to do Umrah picked up right where it left off pre-pandemic (if not even higher). The interest that the Ummah has in visiting the Haramain is a beautiful sight that brings delight to the hearts of Muslims everywhere, but realistically also puts a limit on the availability of seats.

Is this why tickets are more expensive than previous years?

• Yes - these factors are contributing to an increase in air travel prices. Our travel partner Dar El Salam Travel is doing everything they can to ensure the best price is available to all of those signing up for Umrah this year. The team at DST is doing everything they can to guarantee the best travel experience for each of our Winter Umrah attendees.

I have another question...

• We're more than happy to answer! Please email travel@qalaminstitute.org and qalamumrah@darelsalam.com, and we'll respond soon, insha'Allah.