Every rule that affects an Umrah trip right now, in plain English, with the official source and the date we last checked it.
10rules in force
3 Oct 2026last checked
25sources linked
Rules in force
Umrah is allowed on any valid Saudi visa, including the tourist eVisa
The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah says holders of every visa type (personal and family visit, electronic tourist, transit, work and others) may perform Umrah while in Saudi Arabia. You still need a separate Umrah permit booked in the Nusuk app. None of these visas allow Hajj.
Applies to: All visitors holding a valid Saudi visa (tourist eVisa, visit, transit, work and others) · Announced: 5 Oct 2025
Umrah visas are only issued once accommodation contracts are documented on Nusuk Masar
Since the 1447H season, an Umrah visa is only issued when the accommodation has been booked with hotels licensed by the Ministry of Tourism and the contract documented on the Nusuk Masar platform. In practice this means the Umrah visa comes bundled with a package from an approved provider. The rule does not apply to people doing Umrah on a tourist eVisa or other non-Umrah visa.
Applies to: Umrah visa applicants (and the Umrah companies and agents that apply for them) · In effect from: 10 Jun 2025 · Announced: 13 Jun 2025
Single-entry Umrah visa: you must enter within 30 days of issue
A single-entry Umrah visa is cancelled automatically if the holder has not entered Saudi Arabia within 30 days of issue. Before this change you had three months. Once you are in the country, you can still stay up to 90 days.
Applies to: Umrah visa holders (single-entry Umrah visa) · Announced: 30 Oct 2025
Reported by the press citing ministry sources; we have not found a formal ministry publication or an exact start date.
Umrah visas for the 1448H season began issuing, and pilgrims began entering Saudi Arabia, on 31 May 2026 (14 Dhul-Hijjah 1447). The last day to issue an Umrah visa is 9 March 2027 (1 Shawwal 1448), the last day to enter is 23 March 2027 (15 Shawwal 1448), and the last day to leave is 7 April 2027 (30 Shawwal 1448).
Applies to: Umrah visa holders (season calendar for Umrah companies, agents and pilgrims arriving on Umrah visas) · In effect from: 31 May 2026 · Announced: 17 May 2026
Dates follow the Umm al-Qura calendar; Shawwal dates could move by a day depending on the moon sighting.
New multiple-entry Umrah visa: valid one year, up to 90 days in total
Since 20 July 2026, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah offers a multiple-entry Umrah visa. It is valid for 365 days from issue and allows up to 90 days in total across all visits. Each visit needs a package bought from an approved Nusuk provider and an Umrah permit issued in the Nusuk app before you travel. The visa cannot be activated for entry from 1 Dhul-Qa'dah to 13 Dhul-Hijjah (Hajj season).
Applies to: Umrah visa applicants via approved Nusuk service providers · In effect from: 20 Jul 2026 · Announced: 20 Jul 2026
An Umrah permit must be booked in the Nusuk app (free)
Performing Umrah at Masjid al-Haram is tied to a time-slotted Umrah permit issued free of charge in the Nusuk app or website. You can hold only one active permit at a time and can book another once it expires. Entering the mosque just to pray does not need a permit.
Applies to: All visitors performing Umrah
Nusuk's service page lists conditions that mention residence in Saudi Arabia or an Umrah visa, while the Nusuk FAQ and the ministry say holders of any visa may perform Umrah. If booking a permit fails on a tourist visa, contact Nusuk (920002814 from outside Saudi Arabia).
Visiting the Rawdah in the Prophet's Mosque requires a Nusuk permit
Entering al-Rawdah al-Sharifah in Madinah needs a free permit booked in the Nusuk app or website, which you can get once every 365 days. Alternatively, you can use the instant-access option when you are near the mosque, subject to capacity. Men and women have separate visiting hours.
Applies to: All visitors (citizens, residents, visitors and GCC citizens) · Announced: 5 Dec 2025
Women do not need a mahram (male guardian) to perform Umrah
The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah confirms that a woman may come to Saudi Arabia to perform Umrah without a mahram. The Minister of Hajj and Umrah first announced this in October 2022.
Applies to: Female visitors · Announced: 10 Oct 2022
The official FAQ does not state a minimum age. Under-18s should check the rules for their visa route.
Meningococcal (ACWY) vaccination is required for Umrah
Everyone travelling to perform Umrah must have had a meningococcal ACWY (or ACYWX) vaccine at least 10 days before arrival: within the last 5 years for a conjugate vaccine, or 3 years for a polysaccharide vaccine. Travellers from listed countries also need polio or yellow fever vaccination, and certain higher-risk groups need proof of COVID-19 vaccination. Seasonal flu vaccination is recommended.
Applies to: All visitors performing Umrah or staying in Umrah areas (Makkah, Madinah, Jeddah, Taif)
The Saudi Ministry of Health requires the vaccine for all Umrah travellers but lists certificate checks only for some countries; the UK government tells British travellers they must have a certificate. Get vaccinated and carry the certificate.
UK citizens can use a Saudi Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA), which permits Umrah
Since 1 July 2026, holders of all types of UK passport can apply for a Saudi Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA). It allows multiple entries and up to 180 days' stay, and covers tourism, business, short-term study and Umrah outside the Hajj season. It does not cover work, residence or Hajj.
Applies to: UK passport holders · In effect from: 1 Jul 2026 · Announced: 25 Jun 2026
The Saudi announcement describes stays 'within one year'; GOV.UK and Visit Saudi say the ETA is valid for 730 days with 180 days in total. GOV.UK and Visit Saudi list Umrah (outside the Hajj season) as a permitted purpose.
Hajj-season restrictions on Umrah and on entering Makkah (1447H example) ended
Each year Saudi Arabia pauses Umrah before Hajj. In 1447H (2026), the Ministry of Interior set 18 April 2026 (1 Dhul-Qa'dah) as the last day for Umrah-visa pilgrims to leave, suspended Nusuk Umrah permits from 1 Dhul-Qa'dah to 14 Dhul-Hijjah (31 May 2026), and barred all non-Hajj visa holders from entering or staying in Makkah from 1 Dhul-Qa'dah. The authorities also stated that visit visas of any type do not permit Hajj.
This is the 2026 (1447H) example. The 2027 (1448H) measures had not been announced when we last checked.
