Difference between Hajj and Umrah
Both start with ihram and include Tawaf around the Kaaba, but Hajj happens on set days of Dhu al-Hijjah with rites in Mina and Arafat, while Umrah can be done all year in about two hours.
| Umrah | Hajj | |
|---|---|---|
| When | All year, on any day; during the Hajj season procedures are organised to manage crowds. | On set days of Dhu al-Hijjah, starting on the 8th in Mina. |
| Rites | Four: ihram from the miqat, Tawaf (seven circuits), Sa’i between Safa and Marwah (seven laps), then shaving or trimming the hair. | Ihram with the chosen type of Hajj (tamattu’, qiran or ifrad), Tawaf, the night in Mina on the 8th, the Day of Arafah, the sacrifice on the Day of Nahr, stoning the Jamarat and the farewell Tawaf in the days of Tashreeq. |
| Places | Masjid al-Haram in Makkah. | Masjid al-Haram and the holy sites of Mina and Arafat. |
| Time needed | About two hours on average for the rites (117 minutes in the latest official monthly figure). | Several days. |
| Permit | An Umrah permit booked in the Nusuk app. | An official Hajj permit, required by the Saudi authorities. |
| Visa | Several visas allow it: the Nusuk visa, tourist visas (eVisa or on arrival) and the family visit visa. | Pilgrims from abroad follow the requirements set by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, including the vaccines announced each year by the Ministry of Health. |
Official source Official source
What Hajj and Umrah have in common
- Both begin with ihram from the miqat.
- Both include Tawaf around the Kaaba.
- Nusuk is the official platform for both: the Umrah permit, and Hajj registration for pilgrims from inside the Kingdom.
Hajj from inside Saudi Arabia: the conditions
For pilgrims from inside the Kingdom, Nusuk lists these conditions for the Hajj permit: Official source
- A citizen or resident of Saudi Arabia, at least 15 years old.
- A national ID or iqama valid through Dhu al-Hijjah.
- Priority for those who have not performed Hajj before.
- Free of chronic or infectious diseases, with the meningitis and seasonal flu vaccines.
This page compares dates, rites and procedures as Nusuk describes them. For religious rulings, such as which type of Hajj to choose, ask a scholar you trust.
Next: how to perform Umrah step by step and how long Umrah takes.
Frequently asked questions
What is the main difference between Hajj and Umrah?
Hajj is done on set days of Dhu al-Hijjah and includes Mina, Arafat and the stoning of the Jamarat over several days. Umrah can be done on any day of the year and its four rites take about two hours.
Can I do Umrah during Hajj?
Umrah is open all year, but during the Hajj season the authorities organise procedures to manage the crowds, so check the current season dates before booking.
Do I need a permit for Umrah and for Hajj?
Yes. Umrah needs a permit booked in Nusuk; Hajj needs an official Hajj permit.
Is Umrah the same as a small Hajj?
Umrah shares ihram and Tawaf with Hajj, but it has no day in Arafat, no night in Mina and no stoning, and it is not tied to Dhu al-Hijjah.