In order to improve and modernize the process for issuing Umrah Visas, the Ministry of Hajj of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has issued rules for electronic processing of all such visas. Therefore, all External Agents (EAs) and Umrah Operators (UOs) will need to follow the procedure outlined in this guide with effect from ___________.

The following parties will now be responsible for electronic payment of Umrah Travel Packages;

Sejel Technology Co. Ltd. (Sejel)

Sejel is responsible for developing and operating the Umrah Network and Information Center, which collects and relays Umrah Visa information to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Under Ministry of Hajj circular number 4400039 dated 16/01/1424H, Sejel has been authorized to accept all payments of Umrah Travel Package Amounts. It will thereafter be responsible for sending visa approval to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and for releasing the Package amounts to the UOs and Umrah Application Service Providers (UASPs).

The Saudi British Bank (SABB)

SABB has been appointed by Sejel as the ePayments bank for collection and distribution of Umrah Travel Package Amounts. SABB have developed a customized ePayments solution whereby all incoming Umrah payments are electronically validated against the Sejel voucher details by the system before being accepted, processed and confirmation of receipt of good funds sent to Sejel.

SABB has 76 branches in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and operates globally through its associated HSBC Group which has over 9500 offices in 79 countries and other correspondent banks.

EAs and UOs are advised that under the new rules of the Ministry of Hajj, the Umrah Visas will only be issued after full payment of Umrah Travel Package Amounts.

International Payments: Notes
EAs should instruct their banks that they will pay all transfer charges and there should be no deductions from the amount of the transfer. They should also ensure that the Saudi Riyal amount matches the Voucher amount after conversion from their local currency.

EAs may open accounts with HSBC Bank in their country to facilitate faster transfer of funds via the Global Electronic Banking System �HEXAGON�. Opening an account with HSBC Group or a correspondent bank will be subject to meeting their account requirements and any local regulations that apply.

For a list of HSBC Group branches, please visit the website www.hsbc.com.


Methods of Payment

The following methods are available for payment of Umrah Travel Package Amounts;

1. International Transfer through SWIFT
2. Local Transfer in Saudi Arabia through SARIE
3. Payment by cash, check or bank draft at SABB branches
4. Internal Transfer at branches by SABB account holders

The procedures for these payments are listed below.

1. International Transfers
EAs will instruct their banks to remit Umrah Travel Package Amounts to the Sejel Main Collection Account with SABB through SWIFT Transfer.

Amount: Saudi Riyal (SAR) ___________
Beneficiary Name: Sejel Technology
Beneficiary Account: This will be given in Voucher details sent by Sejel. The account number format will be 021227947003 INVXXXXX - where XXXXX is the Group Number unique to each Voucher and should not be used for a different voucher.
Beneficiary Bank: The Saudi British Bank
Beneficiary Bank Address: Head Office, P.O.Box 9084, Riyadh 11413, Saudi Arabia
Payment Details: Payment of Umrah Voucher No. XXXXXXX
SWIFT Code: SABBSARI


2. Local Transfers in Saudi Arabia
UOs who wish to make payment of Umrah Travel Package Amounts can transfer the funds through SARIE (Saudi Arabian Interbank Express) to the Sejel Main Collection Account with SABB.

Amount: Saudi Riyal (SAR) ___________
Beneficiary Name: Sejel Technology
Beneficiary Account: This will be given in Voucher details sent by Sejel. The account number format will be 021227947003 INVXXXXX - where XXXXX is the Group Number unique to each Voucher and should not be used for a different voucher.
Beneficiary Bank: The Saudi British Bank
Beneficiary Bank Address: Head Office, P.O. Box 9084, Riyadh 11413
Payment Details: Payment of Umrah Voucher No. XXXXXXX

The sending bank will charge its own fees for making SARIE transfers



3. Payments at SABB branches
UOs can make payment of Umrah Travel Package Amounts by depositing cash, check or bank draft at any SABB branch. A copy of the voucher must be presented to the teller for verification and only exact payment of outstanding voucher amount will be accepted. The deposit slip should be filled out as below

Amount: Saudi Riyal (SAR) ___________
Beneficiary Name: Sejel Technology
Beneficiary Account: This will be given in Voucher details sent by Sejel. The account number format will be 021227947003 INVXXXXX - Where XXXXX is the Group Number unique to each Voucher and should not be used for a different voucher.
Payment Details: Payment of Umrah Voucher No. XXXXXXX

4. Internal Transfers
UOs who maintain an account with SABB can give Internal Transfer instructions to pay the Umrah Travel Package Amounts. These can be given by filling out the Internal Transfer forms at SABB branches. Payments should be made as below

Amount: Saudi Riyal (SAR) ___________
Beneficiary Name: Sejel Technology
Beneficiary Account: This will be given in Voucher details sent by Sejel. The account number format will be 021227947003 INVXXXXX - Where XXXXX is the Group Number unique to each Voucher and should not be used for a different voucher.
Payment Details: Payment of Umrah Voucher No. XXXXXXX

Incomplete Payments

Payments that are less than the Voucher Amount will not be processed by Sejel and the Umrah Visas will not be approved. Therefore, it is very important for EAs and UOs to ensure that the right amount is credited to the Sejel Main Collection Account. For incomplete payments, EAs and UOs can deposit the balance amount within 7 calendar days of the first payment date.

International Transfers, Local Transfers and Internal Transfers:
Payment amount must be equal or greater than Voucher Amount. If payment amount is less, than the balance amount must be paid within 7 calendar days of the first payment date.

Payments at SABB branches:
Payments must be for exact outstanding amount of Voucher.

Incomplete payments that are not fully paid within 7 calendar days of the first payment date will be returned to the UOs and EAs, after deduction of bank charges.


Sending Payments � Cut-off Times and Value Dates

Domestic Payments:
Cut-Off Time Value achieved thereafter Business Days
Internal Transfer (SABB account to account) and Teller Deposits Walk-in customers up to branch closure (dependent on branch opening/closing hours)

Same Day


Sat-Thu


SARIE (account held with other Local bank) 12:00 Walk-in customers (dependent on Local Bank branch opening/closing hours)

Same Day Sat-Thu

International Payment:

Subject to Opening an account with HSBC in that country and effecting payments, within published cut-off times and on valid business days, and currency of remittance must be Saudi Riyal:
Country Cut-off time (sending to KSA) Value achieved thereafter Business Days
Egypt 15:30 24 working hours Sun-Thu
Jordan 15:00 24 working hours Sun-Thu
Indonesia 15:00 24 working hours Mon-Fri
India 13:30 24 working hours Mon-Fri
Pakistan 15:00 (12:30 Sat) 24 working hours Mon-Fri
Malaysia 14:00 (12:00 Sat) 24 working hours Mon-Fri
Turkey 12:00 24 working hours Mon-Fri
Bangladesh 12:00 24 working hours Sat-Thu
Local terms and conditions for opening accounts with HSBC will have to be met, if the pre-conditions are not met, value will be 48 working hours. Foreign currency restrictions