Electronic or Non-Electronic Passports can be used for Hajj and Umrah

May 29, 2023

Can we use the passport we already have to go for Umrah or Hajj? This question is often asked by those preparing to visit the Holy Land. The answer is yes! Basically, the Indonesian Passport issued by the immigration office is an official state document that is legal and valid as an identity for Indonesian Citizens while abroad. This also applies when an Indonesian citizen travels to Saudi Arabia for the purpose of performing hajj or spiritual journey (umrah). "There is no special passport for Umrah or Hajj. Umrah or Hajj pilgrims use the same Indonesian passport as other Indonesian citizens going to other countries. So, if someone already has a passport, please use it for Umrah or Hajj. The important thing is to make sure the passport is still valid to apply for the visa," explained the Sub-Coordinator of Public Relations of the Directorate General of Immigration, Achmad Nur Saleh on Friday (26/05/2023). The definition of a passport is also explained in Law No. 6 of 2011 on Immigration, on the General Provisions Section: “The Passport of the Republic of Indonesia, hereinafter referred to as Passport, is a document issued by the Government of the Republic of Indonesia to Indonesian citizens to travel between countries which is valid for a certain period of time.” Furthermore, Article 24 Paragraph (2) of the Immigration Law states that the Indonesian passport consists of diplomatic passport, official passport and ordinary passport. Article 26 explains that an ordinary passport is issued to Indonesian citizens and is issued by the Minister or an appointed Immigration Officer. Achmad added that previously, the full name of the prospective hajj pilgrim listed in the passport must contain at least three words. However, on April 21, 2022, the Ministry of Religious Affairs has issued a Circular Letter Number B-21010/DJ/Dt.II.II.2/Hj.00/04/2022 which states that the full name of the prospective hajj pilgrim listed in the passport must contain at least 2 (two) words. For example: Arief Budiman. "Pilgrims who are making a passport for the first time only need to submit required documents such as e-ID, Family Card, birth certificate and marriage certificate/diploma. The application can be made through the M-Passport Application or by utilizing the collective passport application service facilitated by the Ministry of Religious Affairs office in collaboration with the local immigration office. For further information regarding the collective passport application service for hajj pilgrims, please directly contact immigration office or the Ministry of Religious Affairs in your cities," he said. Currently, a recommendation letter from the Ministry of Religious Affairs (Kemenag) is no longer a passport application requirement for hajj/umrah purposes. This policy is stated in the Letter of the Director General of Immigration on the Indonesian Passport Issuance Service for Hajj and Umrah Pilgrims, Number IMI-GR.01.01-0070, dated 22 February 2023. Author: Ajeng Rahma Safitri, Editor: Muhammad Fijar Sulistyo.

Last updated 06 December 2024