Updated: 23 مايو 2026, 06:08 مساءً
|||Performing Umrah in 2026 requires understanding two things first: which Saudi visa route applies to your nationality and how the official Nusuk system fits into your journey. Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah continues to route Umrah services through approved providers and digital platforms, while the Ministry’s official permit service shows that Umrah permits are issued through the Nusuk app. Eligible visitors can also perform Umrah on a Saudi tourist eVisa, but that does not allow Hajj.
2026 key facts at a glance
- Official platform: Nusuk / Nusuk app
- Tourist eVisa eligibility: citizens of 66 countries can apply online
- Tourist eVisa validity: 1 year, multiple entry, with stays of up to 90 days
- 1447 AH Umrah calendar: last visa issuance 20 March 2026, last entry 3 April 2026, last departure 18 April 2026
- 1448 AH season: official reopening date should be checked on the Ministry portal once announced
- Vaccination: meningococcal meningitis vaccination remains mandatory for Umrah travelers.
- آخر تحديث: مايو 2026
What is an Umrah visa?
An Umrah visa is the visa route used by Muslims traveling to المملكة العربية السعودية specifically to perform Umrah outside the Hajj period. Saudi official guidance describes it as an electronic visa granted to pilgrims wishing to perform Umrah, and it allows movement between Makkah, Madinah, and other cities in the Kingdom during the permitted stay.
Who needs an Umrah visa?
That depends on your nationality and travel route. Many pilgrims still use a dedicated Umrah visa arranged through approved Umrah channels, while visitors from 66 eligible countries can instead apply for the Saudi tourist eVisa, which also permits Umrah outside Hajj. Saudi’s official tourist visa site confirms both the 66-country eligibility figure and that Umrah is permitted on the tourist eVisa, excluding Hajj.
Umrah visa 2026: what changed and what you need to know
Rule 1: Nusuk is now central to the Umrah process
Saudi official guidance makes clear that Umrah services are handled through approved digital platforms and approved Saudi Umrah providers. The Ministry FAQ says the visa can be obtained by designing the Umrah program through an approved electronic platform such as Nusuk, while the Umrah requirements page lists housing, transportation, and field services with an approved Saudi Umrah company as part of the official requirements.
Rule 2: The Umrah permit itself is issued through the Nusuk app
The Ministry’s Umrah Permit Application service says users log in to the Nusuk app, select the Umrah permit service, choose an available date and time, and then issue the permit. That means even when you hold a valid visa, the actual permit slot is still managed through Nusuk.
Rule 3: Umrah can be performed on a Saudi tourist eVisa
Saudi Arabia’s official tourist visa site states that the tourist eVisa allows tourism, events, family visits, leisure, and Umrah but explicitly excludes Hajj. This is one of the most important practical points for 2026: many travelers no longer need a dedicated Umrah-only visa if they are eligible for the tourist eVisa and are traveling outside the Hajj restriction period.
Rule 4: Hajj restrictions are strictly enforced
Saudi official guidance states that the tourist visa does not permit Hajj, and seasonal Hajj access controls are enforced through official entry rules and permit systems. For publication, the safest wording is that travelers must not assume a tourist or Umrah visa gives access during Hajj-restricted periods, and they should always follow current Ministry instructions before booking.
Umrah visa season 2026: key dates and timeline
Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah published the official 1447 AH Umrah calendar for international Umrah performers. The key dates shown on the Ministry page are:
- Start of issuing Umrah visas: 10 June 2025
- Start of receiving Umrah performers: 11 June 2025
- Last date to issue Umrah visas for the 1447 AH season: 20 March 2026
- Final deadline to enter the Kingdom: 3 April 2026
- Last date to depart the Kingdom: 18 April 2026
the next Umrah season is expected to reopen after Hajj, but pilgrims should check the official Ministry of Hajj and Umrah portal for the confirmed 1448 AH announcement.
Eligibility criteria for Umrah visa
Eligibility depends on your nationality, your visa type, and whether you are applying through an approved Umrah service pathway or through the tourist eVisa system. If you are using the tourist eVisa, your nationality must be on Saudi Arabia’s list of eligible countries. If you are traveling on a dedicated Umrah route from outside the Kingdom, your application must be tied to approved service arrangements handled through Saudi-authorized channels.
Documents required for an Umrah visa
The core documents remain broadly familiar, but Saudi official guidance now makes service-package confirmation part of the practical process. A clean 2026 list is:
- جواز سفر ساري المفعول
- visa application details
- passport photo, where required
- round-trip or onward ticket
- insurance policy
- confirmed housing, transportation, and field services package with an approved Saudi Umrah company
- required health documents, especially proof of meningococcal vaccination
- any family or sponsor documents needed for your specific case
Vaccination requirements for Umrah in 2026
Saudi Arabia’s 2026 Umrah health regulations state that all individuals intending to perform Umrah from all countries must receive a meningococcal meningitis vaccine covering ACYW, with timing rules requiring the dose to be received at least 10 days before arrival. The exact acceptable vaccine type and validity period depend on whether it is a conjugate or polysaccharide vaccine. Additional health requirements can also apply based on nationality or health conditions.
How to apply for an Umrah visa
There are two main practical routes for most travellers.
Option 1: Apply through approved Umrah channels
Saudi Ministry guidance says pilgrims from outside the Kingdom can obtain the visa by designing the Umrah program through an approved electronic platform such as Nusuk, or through an accredited external agent working through the official system.
Option 2: Apply for a Saudi tourist eVisa
If your nationality is eligible, you can apply online through the official Saudi tourist eVisa portal. The tourist eVisa is a 1-year multiple-entry visa that allows stays of up to 90 days, and Saudi officially states that it permits Umrah, excluding Hajj. After arrival, pilgrims should use the Nusuk app to issue the Umrah permit for the available time slot.
Umrah visa online application (eVisa process)
For eligible nationalities, the Saudi eVisa process is the simpler route:
- Complete the online application on the official Saudi tourist visa portal
- Submit passport and personal details
- pay the required fee shown during checkout
- wait for issuance, then travel within the visa conditions and use Nusuk for the Umrah permit
Umrah visa cost 2026
- The tourist eVisa fee is shown through the official Saudi eVisa portal during application
- Dedicated Umrah package pricing varies depending on the approved service provider, accommodation tier, transport, and bundled services
- Medical insurance is part of the Saudi visa ecosystem and is reflected in the official process or package structure
- If you apply through a travel agency, ask for a full itemized quotation covering visa processing, insurance, accommodation, transport, and service fees
Applying for an Umrah visa through travel agents
Travel agents still matter, especially for travelers using the dedicated Umrah route rather than the tourist eVisa. Saudi official guidance continues to refer to external agents and approved providers in the Umrah process, and the ministry’s systems connect pilgrims, external agents, Umrah companies, and visa issuance into one official workflow.
How to prepare for Umrah in 2026
A practical preparation checklist for 2026 should include:
- Register on Nusuk and understand how your permit will be issued
- Confirm your visa route early
- Make sure your housing and transport arrangements are through approved channels if you are using a dedicated Umrah package
- Complete your meningococcal vaccination on time
- Monitor the official Ministry site for seasonal entry deadlines
- Avoid travel plans that overlap with Hajj restriction periods unless you hold the correct Hajj authorization
- carry insurance, passport copies, and all booking confirmations
- follow official health and entry guidance right before departure
الأسئلة الشائعة
How long is an Umrah visa valid after it is issued?
Always follow the validity printed on your visa and the seasonal deadlines announced by Saudi authorities, because the season-end cutoff overrides any later personal travel plan.
How long can I stay in Saudi Arabia on a tourist eVisa?
Saudi Arabia’s official tourist visa site says the tourist e-visa is valid for one year, is multiple-entry, and allows visitors to spend up to 90 days in the country. It also permits Umrah, excluding Hajj.
How long does a Saudi Umrah visa application take?
Processing time depends on whether you apply through the tourist eVisa system or through an approved Umrah provider, and travelers should apply early during peak periods.
Is Nusuk booking mandatory for Umrah in 2026?
Nusuk is central to the official Umrah process. Saudi Ministry sources say the Umrah visa can be obtained through approved electronic platforms such as Nusuk, and the Ministry’s permit service says the Umrah permit itself is issued via the Nusuk app. For dedicated Umrah travel from outside the Kingdom, official requirements also include housing, transportation, and field services with an approved Saudi Umrah company.
When does the 1448 AH Umrah season open in 2026?
As of the official Saudi sources checked here in May 2026, the ministry page clearly displayed the 1447 AH closing dates, but it did not show a confirmed reopening date yet for the 1448 AH season. Pilgrims should monitor the official ministry portal for the formal announcement.
Can I perform Umrah on a Saudi tourist visa in 2026?
Yes. If you hold an eligible Saudi tourist eVisa, Saudi Arabia’s official visa site says you may perform Umrah, but not Hajj. You must still follow official permit and entry rules, including using the Nusuk system where required.
