[Podborodok]

For the last few years there has been an "approved" process for booking Umrah in the UK.
For example, I heard that you cannot just fly there with a visa and book hotels once you arrive.
To get the visa in the first place you have to show the embassy evidence of your flights and accommodation.
A lot of these "approved" umrah agents stick a hefty profit margin on to their packages. I was thinking of using them for the visa but doing as much of the rest myself to save money. I don't have alot of money at the moment!
So I have a couple of questions:


1. If you are a UK passport holder can you book a package through an Australian Umrah Operator (for example) to take advantage of the favourable exchange rate? Or are you restricted to booking within the UK only?

2. What is the way to get the cheapest DIY package possible? Book your own flights, and then do the visa and hotels through an approved agent? I note that all these "approved agents" stick a significant profit margin on to their flight prices!


Or any general info would be most appreciated in terms of how to make it a cheap trip without having to rely solely on an approved agent.
p.s. I am going with wife and kids so do not want to go the dirt-cheap "solo" way by road through Europe lol