Umrah pilgrimage visas:
Your complete guide
2026–2027

It depends on your visa type and nationality.

Saudi tourist eVisa: You can apply on your own at visa.visitsaudi.com. Alternatively, apply through iVisa and have an expert handle it for you — with document checks and support at every step.

Umrah visa (US, UK, EU, Australia, Canada and most other eligible nationalities): You can apply directly on umrah.nusuk.sa, but the process requires pre-confirmed accommodation and transport bookings through Nusuk-approved providers before the visa is issued. iVisa coordinates all of this — accommodation, transport, and the visa application — so you have one point of contact throughout and never have to figure it out alone.

Umrah visa (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh): Self-application through any government website is not available for these nationalities — you must apply through a MOIA-registered or Saudi-approved licensed travel agent. iVisa works with authorized Saudi travel agents to manage your full application, acting as your single point of contact so you never have to deal with multiple parties.

GCC and Saudi nationals: No visa required. Register on Nusuk to receive your Umrah permit and book your time slots.

Why apply through iVisa?
iVisa handles your application end-to-end — document checks, submission, and live support if anything comes up. For the Umrah visa, iVisa coordinates with authorized operators for the required Nusuk-approved accommodation and transport bookings, which can be complex to arrange independently. If iVisa makes an error, we refund our processing fee in full.

iVisa currently supports Umrah visa applications from: USA, Australia, Netherlands, Canada, Switzerland, France, United Kingdom, Denmark, Italy, Bosnia & Herzegovina, New Zealand, and Portugal. UK residents from Indonesia, Bangladesh, Morocco, India, and Pakistan may also be eligible. This list is subject to change — check ivisa.com for the most current nationalities we support.

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. Millions of 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. The official Saudi eVisa website states that anyone wishing to perform Umrah, pray in the Grand Mosque, or visit the Prophet's Mosque and Al-Rawdah must obtain a permit through the Nusuk app. Saudi authorities check the Nusuk app at checkpoints around the holy sites. Without an active Nusuk permit, you can be turned away or fined — even with a valid visa.

Rawdah visits are always strictly enforced — a pre-booked Nusuk time slot is required with no exceptions, regardless of season or visa type. General Masjid al-Haram access checks can vary in intensity depending on the time of year, but the Rawdah has no walk-in access at any time.

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.

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 90 days from the issue date to enter Saudi Arabia, with a stay of up to 30 days once you arrive. 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 experience with 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 90 days from issue to enter (stay up to 30 days) 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.

Saudi visa rejections are uncommon — iVisa's pre-submission review catches most issues before they become problems. The most frequent causes of rejection are incomplete documentation, applying during the Hajj blackout, inconsistencies between your application and passport, or a previous Saudi entry violation. A meningitis certificate that's expired or was administered fewer than 10 days before travel is another common cause.

iVisa service fee: If your application is rejected due to an error made by iVisa, we will refund our service fee in full. If the rejection was due to information you provided, the service fee is not refunded — but we'll help you reapply after correcting the issue at no additional service charge.

In most cases, a corrected reapplication is successful. Contact iVisa support immediately if you receive a rejection notice — we'll review your case and advise the fastest path forward.

iVisa's service fee covers the complete end-to-end handling of your application: document review and preparation, coordination with our licensed Saudi Umrah agent network (required for nationalities that can't self-apply), Nusuk BRN coordination (the accommodation and transport booking reference required before any Umrah visa can be issued), pre-submission checks to catch errors, and dedicated support throughout the process.

The government visa fee and mandatory health insurance are separate costs charged by Saudi authorities — iVisa passes these through at cost with full itemization. You'll see a complete breakdown of all fees before you submit. No hidden charges.

After your visa is approved, two steps happen via the Nusuk app personally:

1. Umrah ritual permit: Download the Nusuk app and book your permit to perform Umrah at the Grand Mosque. This is a time-slot-based permit checked at the Haram entrances. Book it as soon as you arrive in Makkah — or in advance where the app allows. During Ramadan, slots fill quickly.

2. Rawdah visit permit (if visiting Masjid an-Nabawi in Madinah): Pre-book a dedicated time slot to visit the Prophet's burial chamber. The Rawdah has zero walk-in access at any time of year — a confirmed Nusuk slot is mandatory.

Note: iVisa and your Umrah agent handle the pre-visa Nusuk BRN (the hotel and transport booking reference required to issue your visa). The ritual permits above are separate steps you handle yourself after arrival, via the Nusuk app on your phone.

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 90 days from the issue date to enter, with a stay of up to 30 days. 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.

Rawdah (Al-Rawdah Al-Sharifah, Prophet's Mosque, Madinah): Access requires a pre-booked time slot via the Nusuk app — this applies to all visitors regardless of visa type, and is strictly enforced. There are no walk-in slots. Book as early as possible; slots release on a rolling basis and fill quickly during peak seasons.

Jannat al-Baqi: The historic cemetery adjacent to the Prophet's Mosque has variable access — opening times are controlled by Saudi authorities and can change without notice. No advance booking is required, but entry is not guaranteed.

Zamzam water: Available to all pilgrims — dispensers are free throughout the Masjid al-Haram and Masjid al-Nabawi. A sealed 5-litre container can be purchased at Jeddah and Madinah airports for carry-on within Saudi Arabia. International carry-on restrictions apply on departure (liquids rules vary by airline and destination). Nusuk has also relaunched an in-app service to request Zamzam water directly through the app.

Policies on all the above are set by Saudi authorities and subject to change. iVisa follows published official guidance.