Join over 2 million pilgrims heading to Makkah for the Umrah season.
Understand exactly which visa you can apply for, costs, rules and more.
This depends on your travel dates and purpose of visit.
What documents you need, timelines, and what to avoid.
Get a full breakdown of government fees, insurance, and service costs — no surprises.
See realistic timelines for visa delivery by nationality and season.
Umrah visa vs tourist eVisa — which one fits your situation and when to apply.
Umrah is an Islamic pilgrimage to Makkah (Mecca) that can be performed at any time of the year. Only Muslims may perform Umrah. Whether you're planning your first Umrah or returning again, here's everything you need to know about visa requirements and the application process for 2026–2027 season.
2026 Season Update
Record demand, record numbers: Umrah by the data
New all-time record: 904,000 pilgrims in a single day
On February 21, 2026 (4 Ramadan 1447 AH), Saudi Arabia set an unprecedented record at Masjid al-Haram — up from 500,000 in March 2025 — an 81% increase in just one year. Demand for Umrah is surging even against a backdrop of global uncertainty. Source: Saudi Press Agency
For the first time, pilgrims from 66 countries can choose between two visa pathways to Makkah — the traditional Umrah eVisa and the Saudi tourist eVisa, both granting full access to Umrah rituals. During Ramadan 2026 alone, 96.6 million visits were recorded at Masjid al-Haram and Madinah in just 20 days. Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 targets 30 million Umrah pilgrims annually by 2030.
*Zamzam water and Rawdah bookings are officially associated with the Umrah visa. In practice, tourist visa holders often access the same services.
*Tourist eVisa does not officially include Umrah-specific benefits. Access is at the discretion of Saudi authorities and may change.
Still not sure? Check all the specifications here
“More and more pilgrims are opting for the Tourist eVisa, as it gives mostly the same permissions. At iVisa we offer both options — but we especially focus on nationalities like India or Pakistan, who can only apply for the Umrah visa due to current regulations and bilateral politics. For millions of pilgrims, the traditional Umrah visa isn’t optional: it’s the only path.”
What you'll need for your Umrah Visa
For the 2026–2027 Umrah visa season.
Plan your application around these deadlines.
By nationality
Most nationalities worldwide are eligible for the Umrah visa or Saudi Tourist eVisa. The route depends on your passport — most countries can apply directly on Nusuk, while some require a licensed travel agent.
For specific requirements for other nationalities, visit ivisa.com →
Costs & fees
Visa fees are set by the Saudi government and updated periodically. Here's what to expect — and why prices can vary significantly for the Umrah visa.
Timings start once all required documents are submitted and verified correctly. Incomplete applications reset the clock.
2026–2027 season
The Umrah season has fixed dates for travel AND for applications. Understanding both is critical — miss either window and you can't go.
📅 Hover each month for dates & details
More than 2,000 pilgrims have trusted iVisa with their Umrah application. We've got your documents, your process, and your back.
Questions about Umrah visa requirements? Talk to our experts at help@ivisa.com · Media enquiries welcome at pr@ivisa.com
Ready to apply?
Get your visa →Visa types
| Umrah Visa For pilgrimage | Tourist eVisa | |
|---|---|---|
| Who can apply | Must be Muslim — proof of faith required at application (religion, not nationality) | Any eligible nationality, regardless of religion — Muslims included. Note: non-Muslims can obtain this visa and visit Saudi Arabia, but cannot enter Makkah or perform Umrah under any circumstances. |
| Availability | Seasonal — not issued during Hajj blackout (~Apr–Jun) | Year-round |
| When to apply | Apply once you have confirmed travel dates — visa is valid for only 30 days from issue | Up to 1 year before travel — apply any time |
| Entry window | Must enter within 30 days of visa issue date | Must enter within 1 year of issue date |
| Stay per entry | Up to 30 days inside Saudi Arabia | Up to 90 days continuous per visit |
| Entries | Single entry | Multiple entries |
| Cost | TBD (govt fee + insurance + service fee) | TBD (visa fee — insurance included) |
| Can perform Umrah | ✓ Yes — this visa is for Umrah | ✓ Yes, but Makkah entry is blocked during Hajj season (~Apr–Jun) |
| Cities accessible | ✓ Makkah & Madinah + other cities after Umrah (via Nusuk Masar) | ✓ All Saudi cities |
| Health insurance | ✓ Mandatory & included | ✓ Included — certificate issued separately after booking |
| Zamzam water (5L) | ✓ Official allowance | ~ Airline-dependent — sometimes not enforced, confirm with your airline |
| Mahram required | ✗ No — women 18+ travel independently | ✗ No |
| Business activities | ✗ Not permitted | ✗ Not permitted |
| Processing time | 4–5 working days (most nationalities) | 24–48 hours (sometimes instant) |
* UK nationals: British passport holders enter Saudi Arabia using the Electronic Visa Waiver (EVW) system — single entry, up to 6 months, Umrah permitted outside the Hajj blackout. Available to all British nationals regardless of religion.
Questions & answers
Umrah is an Islamic pilgrimage to Makkah (Mecca), Saudi Arabia. Unlike Hajj — which takes place during a fixed period in the Islamic lunar calendar and is one of the five pillars of Islam — Umrah can be performed at any time of year (outside the Hajj blackout window) and is considered a highly recommended but non-obligatory act of worship.
The pilgrimage involves a series of rituals: wearing the Ihram (a white seamless garment), performing Tawaf (circling the Kaaba seven times counterclockwise), walking between the hills of Safa and Marwa seven times (Sa'i), and shaving or cutting the hair (Halq or Taqsir). Many pilgrims also visit Al-Masjid an-Nabawi (the Prophet's Mosque) in Madinah before or after Umrah, though this is not a formal part of the ritual.
Umrah holds deep spiritual significance — it's often described as the "lesser pilgrimage" and is seen as a means of seeking forgiveness and closeness to God. Approximately 2 million people perform Umrah each year, with Ramadan being the most popular period. All travelers require a valid visa specifically permitting entry for Umrah or, alternatively, a Saudi tourist eVisa (which allows Umrah outside the Hajj season).
No. Umrah is an act of Islamic worship and is exclusively for Muslims. Non-Muslims are strictly and permanently prohibited from entering the city of Makkah under any circumstances — including tourism, transit, business, or journalism. This is Saudi law, not just a religious custom, and it's enforced through physical checkpoints on every road leading into the holy sanctuary.
Holding a Saudi tourist eVisa does not grant access to Makkah. Even if a non-Muslim enters Saudi Arabia legally on a tourist visa, they would be turned back at the mandatory checkpoints outside the city. Saudi Arabia uses biometric data, passport cross-referencing, and spot identity checks at these checkpoints — including verbal tests on Islamic knowledge for anyone whose religious identity is in doubt.
What about Madinah? The rules are different there. Non-Muslims can legally visit the city of Madinah — they can stay in hotels, visit historical sites, and explore the area freely. However, non-Muslims are prohibited from entering the interior of Al-Masjid an-Nabawi (the Prophet's Mosque). You can view the mosque and its famous green dome from the surrounding streets, but you cannot cross the perimeter gates into the mosque grounds.
Muslim travelers on a tourist eVisa can absolutely perform Umrah — both visa types (Umrah visa and tourist eVisa) permit entry into Makkah for Muslim travelers. The difference is in the application process and entry conditions, not in religious access.
Yes — the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah allows tourist visa holders to perform Umrah at any time of year, except during the Hajj season (when tourist visa holders are turned back at Makkah checkpoints). This applies to eVisas, visas on arrival, and visit visas for eligible nationalities.
Critical: you must register on Nusuk regardless of your visa type. Saudi authorities check the Nusuk app at checkpoints around the Grand Mosque. Without an active Nusuk permit, you can be removed from the area and fined — even with a valid visa.
The tourist eVisa gives you more flexibility than the Umrah visa: you can book your own flights, hotels, and transport independently (including the Haramain High-Speed Railway), and visit other Saudi cities like Jeddah and Riyadh on the same trip. The tourist visa is typically valid for 1 year with multiple entries, up to 90 days per stay. Note: a tourist visa cannot be used for Hajj — a dedicated Hajj permit is strictly required for that.
Yes. Saudi Arabia removed the mahram requirement for women aged 18 and over for Umrah purposes — the policy was introduced in 2021 and has been in place since. Women can apply for and travel on an Umrah or tourist visa independently, without a mahram letter or guardian consent form.
A few practical notes: some travel agents and tour operators (particularly in South Asia) may still request a mahram letter for their own compliance purposes — but this is not an official Saudi government requirement. Women traveling solo are advised to travel with a recognized Umrah group for practical support, though it's not legally required. The no-mahram rule applies to Umrah; Hajj has separate and stricter guidance that is reviewed each season by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj.
The Umrah visa is for Muslims only. It includes mandatory health insurance (certificate issued separately after booking), covers Makkah and Madinah for Umrah, and allows travel to other Saudi cities after completing Umrah via Nusuk Masar. It's purpose-built for pilgrimage. The tourist eVisa is open to all nationalities, allows multiple entries, covers all Saudi cities, and also includes health insurance (certificate issued separately) — but tourist eVisa holders are blocked from Makkah during Hajj season.
It depends on your nationality. US, UK, EU, GCC, Malaysia, and many other nationalities can apply directly at nusuk.sa. India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh must use a licensed travel agent — they can't self-apply on Nusuk. iVisa can confirm your specific path and handle the full process on your behalf.
The total includes the government fee (which covers mandatory health insurance) and the Nusuk processing fee. Exact amounts are confirmed on the Nusuk portal and change periodically. iVisa provides a full itemized breakdown with no hidden fees when you apply through us. Check our calculator above for estimates once fees are confirmed.
Yes. The meningococcal ACWY vaccine is required for all pilgrims traveling to Saudi Arabia. It must be administered at least 10 days before arrival and must be within its validity period — the conjugate vaccine (MenACWY) is valid for 5 years, while the polysaccharide vaccine is valid for 3 years.
Importantly, the vaccine is not part of your visa application. It's a travel health requirement checked on entry. You don't submit your certificate when applying — but you must carry it with your travel documents. Book your vaccine at a travel clinic as soon as you decide to travel.
Extensions aren't offered for Umrah visas. The visa is valid for 30 days from the issue date — you must enter Saudi Arabia and complete your pilgrimage within that window. Additionally, the seasonal departure deadline overrides personal visa validity: in the 2026/2027 season, all pilgrims must depart by April 7, 2027 regardless of when their visa was issued.
If you need more time in Saudi Arabia — for tourism, visiting family, or exploring other cities — a tourist eVisa is the better option. It's valid for 1 year with multiple entries and up to 90 days per stay.
Get a letter from your local mosque confirming your conversion to Islam. Most mosques provide this free of charge or for a small donation. It should be on mosque letterhead and signed by the Imam. There's no requirement to change your legal name. A signed personal declaration can also work as a backup, but a mosque letter is always the safer option. iVisa has handled many convert applications and can guide you through the process.
Yes — Saudi Arabia has opened up domestic travel for Umrah visa holders as part of Vision 2030. After completing your Umrah rituals, you can visit other cities including Jeddah, Riyadh, Taif, and AlUla on the same Umrah visa. The key conditions are:
Complete Umrah first. The primary purpose of the visa is pilgrimage. You should complete your rituals in Makkah (and Madinah if visiting) before extending your trip to other cities.
Book via Nusuk Masar. Hotel stays in other cities should be confirmed through the Nusuk platform, which links your itinerary to your visa record. You don't need a separate tourism permit — just valid bookings.
Airport entry note. If flying into Saudi Arabia via Riyadh or Dammam airports, you must continue to Jeddah or Madinah on a domestic flight with a national carrier (SAUDIA). These airports are technically secondary entry points for Umrah visa holders. Jeddah and Madinah remain the primary entry airports.
Stay within your 30-day window. The Umrah visa is valid for 30 days from issue and you must depart before the season deadline (April 7, 2027 for the 2026/2027 season). If you want more time to explore Saudi Arabia, the tourist eVisa is a better fit — it's valid for 1 year with up to 90 days per stay, and also permits Umrah outside Hajj season.
During the Hajj season blackout — the last date for entry into Saudi Arabia on an Umrah visa in the 2026/2027 season is 23 March 2027, and all Umrah pilgrims must depart by 7 April 2027. The last date for Umrah visa issuance is 9 March 2027. Outside these dates, Ramadan (late February–late March) is peak season — visas are still issued, but expect delays and significantly higher hotel prices near the Haram.
Exception — GCC and Saudi nationals: The Hajj blackout does not apply to GCC nationals or Saudi citizens. They can perform Umrah year-round, including during the March–May period when international pilgrims are blocked.
Visa approval is at the sole discretion of the Saudi authorities. Possession of a visa does not guarantee entry into the Kingdom — final admission is determined by immigration officials upon arrival. Entry, stay periods, and permitted activities are subject to the terms and conditions attached to the visa and may change without notice. Travelers are responsible for ensuring they comply with all Saudi laws, regulations, health requirements, and immigration rules during their stay. iVisa's 99% approval rate reflects our thorough pre-submission review — we catch errors and missing documents before your application is submitted.
Yes — GCC nationals (UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar) and Saudi citizens are exempt from the international Hajj blackout. The March–May restriction that prevents international pilgrims from entering Makkah does not apply to them. GCC nationals have unrestricted access to the holy sites year-round.
If you're a UAE national asking whether you can perform Umrah right now or at any point — yes, you can. Apply directly on Nusuk, no travel agent required. Processing is typically within 24 hours.
Yes, each person applies based on their own nationality — your visa type and route are determined by your passport, not who you're travelling with. You can absolutely travel together, book the same flights and hotel, and enter Saudi Arabia at the same time; you just go through your respective application channels.
A practical example: a Moroccan national would apply for an Umrah visa via a licensed travel agent, while their Australian spouse can apply directly for a Saudi tourist eVisa (which also allows Umrah outside the Hajj blackout). Both visas permit entry to Makkah and Madinah.
iVisa can handle both applications — even across nationalities — so you have one point of contact for the whole trip. Talk to our team →
It depends on your nationality and the type of visa. For the Umrah visa, many nationalities — especially those applying through a licensed agent (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and others) — are required to submit hotel vouchers in Makkah and Madinah as part of the visa application. The hotel does not need to be on a specific "approved" list, but it must be within the accepted perimeter near the Haram (typically within the Makkah Municipality zones).
For the Saudi tourist eVisa, no hotel pre-booking is required for the visa application itself — hotel and itinerary planning is entirely flexible.
If you've already booked a hotel near the Haram, it's very likely acceptable. Your agent (or iVisa) will confirm whether it qualifies before submission. The most important thing is not to book non-refundable flights or hotels until your visa is confirmed.
No — this is a common misunderstanding. Nusuk releases booking availability in rolling windows, typically opening 3–4 months at a time. If you're looking in June and you can't see December slots, they simply haven't been released yet — not closed, not reserved for locals.
The full 2026–2027 Umrah season runs from June 1, 2026 to March 23, 2027. December, January, and February are all valid months for international pilgrims. Check Nusuk again as the season progresses — slots open on a rolling basis and can fill up quickly once released, especially for Ramadan (late February–March).
Yes — Nusuk offers different duration packages depending on your nationality and the package type. Common options are 15, 20, and 30 days. Longer packages (60–80 days) are available for specific nationalities or through certain licensed operators, typically for pilgrims who want to combine extended stays in Makkah, Madinah, and other Saudi cities in one trip.
The standard Umrah visa is valid for 30 days from the issue date. Regardless of which package you choose, the hard deadline remains the same: all Umrah visa holders must depart Saudi Arabia by April 7, 2027. If you want maximum flexibility, the Saudi tourist eVisa (1 year validity, up to 90 days per stay, multiple entries) is often a better fit for longer trips.
Access to religious sites including Rawdah appointments, Jannat al-Baqi visits, and Zamzam water allowances is subject to the policies of the relevant Saudi authorities and may be amended at any time. Official Saudi guidance associates certain benefits — such as carrying Zamzam water and booking visits to Rawdah and Jannat al-Baqi — with the Umrah visa. However, in practice, holders of tourist visas are frequently able to access the same services. As implementation can vary, iVisa follows the published rules while recognising that the practical distinction between the two visa types is often limited.
