The Bank of Maldives (BML) has announced an elevation in the foreign transaction limit on debit cards to USD 1,500 for Umrah pilgrims travelling to Makkah, Saudi Arabia, during the holy month of Ramadan. This decision reflects a recent directive from President Dr Mohamed Muizzu, who revealed the initiative on 10 February to support the financial needs of Umrah pilgrims.
The revised transaction limit, according to BML, is applicable to Umrah pilgrims undertaking the pilgrimage during Ramadan and the first six days of Shawwal, with the increased limit exclusively valid for transactions made within Saudi Arabia. The bank specified that the increased foreign transaction limit will be applied to one debit card per pilgrim.
BML is also collaborating with Umrah tour operators to ensure that pilgrims travelling through these operators can benefit from the enhanced limit. It has communicated all relevant information regarding the application process for raising the foreign transaction limit to Umrah tour operators, who will relay these details to the pilgrims. BML encouraged Umrah pilgrims to contact their tour operators for comprehensive information on the increased limit.
Independent travellers embarking on the Umrah pilgrimage can also benefit from the increased foreign transaction limit. BML outlined that such individuals can apply directly to the bank to raise the limit of their debit cards. Applications should be submitted five days prior to departure, excluding public holidays, the bank said. The application process is streamlined through the BML mobile application, where pilgrims are required to provide copies of their passports and tickets.
The foreign transaction limit for Umrah pilgrims during Ramadan has been increased to USD 1,500, in addition to the standard foreign transaction limit of USD 250 available to all BML customers, bringing the total permissible limit to USD 1,750. Umrah pilgrims are also entitled to exchange up to USD 500 before departure, a service available to all local passengers departing from Velana International Airport (VIA).