New visa charges: To allow Muslims who have never performed Hajj to do so

Malaysian pilgrims who wished to perform the Hajj or Umrah for a second time and subsequent trips would have to pay higher visa charges starting Oct 2.

According to a statement from Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH) Thursday, no visa charges will be imposed for pilgrims who performed the Hajj or Umrah for the first time.

The statement was referring to a Saudi Arabia newspaper report on Aug 9 about a review of visa charges which would take effect Oct 2.

"TH will inform when there is an official notification from the Saudi Arabian government on the visa charges for Hajj and Umrah," said the statement.

It said the public was aware that TH charged Malaysian pilgrims on their subsequent Hajj trips the actual unsubsidised cost for the pilgrimage.

"As such, when the new visa charges are imposed, the additional cost of SR2,000 (1 SR = RM1.06) will be fully borne by pilgrims," the statement said.

TH added that the review by the Saudi Arabian government was to allow Muslims who have never performed the Hajj to do so.