Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Interior has launched the Makkah Route Initiative, as part of Pilgrim Experience Program under the Saudi Vision 2030, in five countries, including Pakistan, Malaysia, Indonesia, Morocco, and Bangladesh.
The Ministry said the Makkah Route Initiative aims to receive the pilgrims and complete their procedures in their countries with ease, starting with issuing the visa electronically, taking the biometrics, then the completion of passport procedures at the airport of the country of departure after verifying health requirements, in addition to coding and sorting of luggage per transportation and housing arrangements in the Kingdom.
The Ministry added that upon arrival the pilgrims will be transported to their places of residence in Makkah and Madinah, as per designated paths, while the service authorities deliver their luggage to their residence.
The Ministry of Interior is implementing the initiative in cooperation with the ministries of “Foreign Affairs, Health, Hajj and Umrah”, the General Authority of Civil Aviation, Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority, the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA), Pilgrim Experience Program, the General Directorate of Passports, and Elm Company.
