Umrah is often known as the minor pilgrimage to Islam’s oldest and holiest site, Mecca. Located in Saudi Arabia, Mecca draws millions of pilgrims who either perform Umrah or Hajj. Unlike Hajj, which is obligatory for physically and financially capable Muslims, Umrah is voluntary.
What is an Umrah Visa?
A KSA Umrah visa is a document that allows foreign nationals to enter Saudi Arabia to perform Umrah in Mecca. This visa is for pilgrims who do not qualify for the e-Visa. Foreigners who are eligible for the Saudi e-visa do not need to apply for an Umrah visa, as they can perform Umrah with their e-visa.
The Hajj visa for Saudi Arabia differs from the Umrah visa as all foreign nationals wishing to perform Hajj must apply for one before arriving in Saudi Arabia, regardless of whether they are eligible for an e-visa. On top of that, Hajj visas are only valid during the Hajj period, whereas pilgrims can perform Umrah throughout the year, except during the Hajj season.
Umrah is a spiritually significant journey as pilgrims have the opportunity to refresh their faith, seek forgiveness, and cleanse their souls. It involves entering Masjid al-Haram (the sacred mosque of Mecca) and performing Tawaf there, which involves circumambulating in an anticlockwise direction around the Ka’aba seven times.
Next, pilgrims need to perform two Rak’ah at the Maqam Ibrahim and drink from the Zamzam well. Then, they must perform Sa’i, which entails walking back and forth between the hills of Safa and Marwa for a total of seven times. Finally, male pilgrims must shave their heads and female pilgrims must cut the length of a fingertip from their hair to break from the state of Ihram.
Who Needs an Umrah Visa?
Nationals of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) do not need a visa to enter Saudi Arabia and perform Umrah. They can also enter the kingdom visa-free for tourism, family and friend visits, and business. GCC nationals only need to apply for a Hajj permit if they wish to perform Hajj.
Non GCC nationals on the other hand need to apply for a visa to enter Saudi Arabia and perform Umrah. Citizens from 66 countries are eligible for the Saudi e-visa, including the US, UK, EU countries, Australia, New Zealand, and several Asian countries. Nationals of these countries can apply for a Saudi e-visa and perform Umrah. They are also eligible for a visa-on-arrival, but it is recommended to apply for an e-visa to avoid long queues at the border.
For nationals from countries that are not eligible for the e-visa, they will need to apply for a Saudi visa for Umrah through an authorized agent. However, if you are a US, UK, or Schengen resident or a business or a tourist visa holder, you are also eligible for the Saudi e-visa. Your passport should contain an entry stamp from the issuing country. Likewise, you can also apply for the e-visa to perform Umrah if you are a legal resident of the GCC.
Types of Umrah Visas
Here are the different visa options for Umrah if you’re thinking about how to get an Umrah visa:
E-visa
- Foreigners who are visiting Saudi Arabia on an e-visa can perform Umrah with it.
- An e-visa may be granted for single-entry or multiple-entry, depending on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
- The multiple-entry visa will be valid for one year from the date of issue and will allow for stays for a maximum of 90 days.
- The single-entry visa will be valid for 90 days and will allow for stays of up to 30 days.
- The e-visa cannot be extended. If you wish to extend your stay in Saudi Arabia, you will need to leave the country and apply for a new e-visa before re-entering.
- Applying for an e-visa to perform Umrah is highly recommended if you are eligible for one.
Traditional KSA Umrah visa
- If your nationality does not qualify for the e-visa, then you will have to apply for a traditional Umrah visa through approved agents.
- Like the e-visa, the Umrah visa validity is for 30 to 90 days, depending on whether you receive a single-entry or multiple-entry visa.
- You will need to secure accommodation first before applying for the visa, according to the latest rules.
Other visas
- You can also perform Umrah on a transit and tourist visa.
- A business visa also allows you to perform Umrah as long as it is not during Hajj season.
- Note that you are not allowed to perform Hajj on an Umrah visa.
Umrah Visa Requirements
The Umrah visa requirements will depend on whether you are applying for a Saudi tourist e-visa or a traditional KSA Umrah visa.
Here are the requirements for a Saudi tourist e-visa:
If you’re not eligible for an e-visa, you will need these additional requirements for a traditional Umrah visa:
- Proof of residence
- You will need to provide evidence of your residence in the country where you’re living.
- You may provide a copy of your property deed in your name, your rental agreement, or bills addressed to your residence with your name.
- Proof of employment
- Show evidence of your employment through pay slips and an employment verification letter from your company.
- If you’re self-employed, provide your company registration certificate.
- Proof of sufficient funds
- You will need to show that you can financially support yourself during your stay in Saudi Arabia.
- You can provide your bank statements and salary statements.
- If you’re self-employed, you can include company bank statements or any other evidence of your income streams.
- Residence address
- You will need to show where you will be staying during your visit to Saudi Arabia, be it a hotel, a family member, or a friend’s place.
- Provide a hotel booking confirmation or an invitation letter from your friend or family member residing in Saudi Arabia.
- Vaccination certificate
- You will need to present a health certification against Meningococcal Meningitis, influenza, and COVID-19 are recommended but not required.
- The certificate should be issued a minimum of 10 days before and less than 3 years from entry into Saudi Arabia.
- You may need other vaccinations, such as for yellow fever and polio, depending on your nationality, age, and health condition.
- Certificate from a mosque or Islamic center (if applicable)
- If you do not have a Muslim name or if you have converted to Islam, you will require a certificate to confirm that you are a Muslim.
- Return ticket
- You will need to have a confirmed return or onward airline ticket.
Note these special requirements for women and children:
- Women no longer require a no-objection letter, proof of relationship, or to be accompanied by a mehrem to travel to Saudi Arabia.
- Travelers under the age of 18 cannot enter Saudi Arabia alone. They may only enter the country if they’re accompanied by a parent, grandparent, or sibling who is more than 18 years old.
How to Apply for an Umrah Visa
Follow these steps to apply for a tourist e-visa to perform Umrah:
Fill out the application form
- Provide basic personal information, such as your full name, passport details, address, contact information, and profession.
- State the purpose of the visit, which would be for Umrah.
Attach documents
- Upload a copy of your passport biodata page, ensuring that all the information can be seen clearly.
- Upload a photo of yourself that meets the requirements listed in the previous section.
Provide accommodation details
- Give details of the hotel or any other accommodation you’ve arranged for the trip.
- Provide the address and contact number of the residence.
Pay the visa fee
Make payment securely online using a debit or credit card.
Receive your visa
The tourist e-visa for Umrah will be sent to the email address you provided in the application.
Here are the steps to follow if you’re not eligible for an e-visa and you’re wondering how to apply for an Umrah visa:
- Contact an authorized agent.
- You cannot apply online for an Umrah visa if you’re not eligible for the e-visa.
- Look for a travel agency that is licensed by the Saudi Arabia Ministry of Hajj and Umrah and accredited by the Embassy.
- Hand in your application
- Prepare all the documents listed in the previous section and get them officially translated if necessary.
- Complete the application form accurately and submit it to the travel agency.
- Make payment
- Pay the fees to the agent, which will include the cost of the visa and a professional service fee.
- Receive the outcome of your application
- Collect your passport with the visa sticker from the travel agency if your application is successful.
- If your application was unsuccessful, plan your next steps.
Whether you are performing Umrah on an e-visa or an Umrah visa or any other type of visa, it is important to obtain the required permits and register your Umrah on the Nusuk platform, which will help you navigate your Umrah journey, get required permits, and even find authorized agents.
Umrah Visa Fees and Processing Time
The Saudi e-visa is usually processed within 24 hours. However, the Umrah visa processing time for the traditional Umrah visa may take anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks.
The KSA Umrah visa fees will depend on the travel agency and the package you choose. Packages typically include the flight tickets, accommodation, and transportation. The cost of packages varies depending on the accommodation, such as whether you go for budget or luxury hotels. The package may also include a guide if you’re travelling in a group.
Entry Requirements & Rules After Arrival
Before travelling to Saudi Arabia, ensure you get a meningococcal vaccination, which is required for all Umrah and Hajj pilgrims. Additionally, you may get other recommended vaccines, such as for COVID-19 and influenza.
From June 2025, pilgrims must book their accommodation in advance through the official Nusuk Masar platform before applying for an Umrah visa. There were also other rules implemented ahead of Hajj 2025 to enhance the safety of pilgrims. Saudi Arabia’s new rules for Umrah were introduced to help with crowd control during peak seasons and to prevent fraudulent visa applications.
When travelling to Saudi Arabia with an Umrah visa, you must travel directly to Mecca and visit the holy cities before visiting other cities in the kingdom. Typically, you should plan to enter Saudi via Jeddah, Madinah, Yanbu, or Taif international airports. Foreign nationals with Umrah visas will be accepted at Riyadh and Dammam international airports, but they must continue travelling to Jeddah or Madinah airports on domestic flights.
After you complete Umrah, you can visit other cities and engage in tourism-related activities, such as sightseeing and shopping. Depending on whether you’re granted a single-entry or multiple-entry visa, you can stay in Saudi Arabia for 30 to 90 days.
Common Reasons for Umrah Visa Rejection
Here are some reasons for Umrah visa rejections:
- Incomplete or missing information
- Your visa may be rejected due to an incorrect passport number, wrong spelling of your name, or missing residential information.
- Check that you’ve filled in all the information accurately, especially your passport number.
- Missing documents
- If you’re applying for a traditional Umrah visa, you will need to prepare several documents, such as bank statements and a letter of employment.
- Failing to include all the supporting documents can lead to a visa rejection.
- You’re less likely to get a visa rejection for this point when applying for an e-visa for Saudi Arabia for Umrah, as it does not require much documentation.
- Prepare all the necessary documents and get them translated to avoid getting a visa rejection.
- Unsuitable photo
- Your visa may be rejected if your photo does not meet the specific requirements.
- Get your photo taken professionally to avoid this issue.
- Previous visa violations
- If you have violated the conditions of your visa in the past, you may face rejection.
- For example, you may have been caught working on a tourist visa or overstaying the duration of your visa.
- Be honest in your application and include a formal explanation if you have violated the conditions of your visa before.
What to Do If Your Visa Is Denied
If your e-visa is rejected, correct your mistakes and reapply. For example, you may have entered an incorrect digit for your passport number or uploaded a photo that did not meet the requirements. Rectify the issues and reapply for your e-visa.
If you’ve applied through a travel agency, contact them and seek advice regarding your next steps. Some issues can be easily resolved, such as obtaining documents that were missing in your application and reapplying.
Your chances of a visa rejection will be lower with an e-visa, so it is advisable to apply for that if you’re eligible.
Tips for a Smooth Umrah Experience
Review these useful tips for a seamless Umrah experience in Saudi:
- Plan to get your vaccinations
- Some vaccinations must be taken for a minimum number of days before your departure. For example, the meningococcal vaccine must be taken 10 days before your flight.
- Speak to your healthcare provider and get all the vaccinations in time for your pilgrimage.
- Travel during off-peak season
- Travelling during the off-peak season means that Mecca will be less crowded.
- The cost of accommodation and flight tickets will also be lower during this period.
- Exercise before your trip
- As Umrah will involve a lot of walking, getting physically ready for the pilgrimage will help you complete it successfully.
- Go on long walks to build up your stamina.
- Dress appropriately
- Plan your outfit according to the season, as there are drastic differences in temperature between the summer and winter seasons.
- Purchase the right type of Ihram for the season and invest in high-quality, comfortable footwear.
- Engage in spiritual preparation
- Learn more about the spiritual rituals involved in the Umrah. You can even sign up for preparatory classes conducted at Islamic centers.
- Repent of your past sins and seek forgiveness from people you may have wronged.
- Adhere to the conditions of your visa
- Both the e-visa and traditional Umrah visa will not allow you to do paid work and perform Hajj. Comply with the conditions of your visa and avoid engaging in unauthorized activities.
- Leave Saudi Arabia before your visa expires, as overstayers may face heavy fines or even be barred from entering the country again.
How to Stay Safe and Prepared During Umrah
Performing Umrah is physically demanding as it involves long exposure to the sun and walking for long distances, which can lead to heat exhaustion, dehydration, and fatigue. Moreover, there are higher risks of getting viral and bacterial infections as large numbers of pilgrims gather in a single place and are in close proximity. Here’s how to protect your own health and safety during Umrah:
- Stay hydrated
- Drink two to three litres of water every day, even if you don’t feel thirsty.
- Avoid going out during the peak sun hours from noon to 4 PM.
- Bring a reusable water bottle and rehydration salts with you.
- Maintain good hygiene
- Wash your hands frequently.
- Wear a face mask in crowded areas.
- Avoid sharing personal items, such as towels or bottles, to prevent catching any contagious diseases.
- Prepare a first aid kit
- Include the following items in your first-aid kit to deal with health issues that may arise during the pilgrimage:
- Dressings, plasters, and bandages
- Antiseptic lotions
- Antihistamine cream
- Face masks, tissues, and scissors
- An umbrella and a hand fan
- Include the following items in your first-aid kit to deal with health issues that may arise during the pilgrimage:
FAQs About the Umrah Visa
The Umrah visa price will depend on several factors, such as whether you’re applying for an e-visa or a traditional Umrah visa. Most people also opt for Umrah packages, which include the cost of flights, hotels, transport, and other activities after the pilgrimage.
You can apply for an Umrah visa online if you’re eligible for an e-visa. As for a traditional Umrah visa, you will need to apply with an authorized travel agent.
If you’re eligible for a Saudi e-visa, it is the best visa for Umrah due to the quick processing time, convenience of applying online, and a minimal number of documents required.
No, the Saudi Umrah visa is not free. The Saudi Arabia visa fees for Umrah will vary depending on the Saudi e-visa or traditional visa.
Yes, you can perform Umrah while on a Saudi tourist visa. However, you will have to register on Nusuk beforehand.
As you cannot perform Umrah during Hajj, you will need to wait till the Hajj period is over before you can enter Saudi Arabia for Umrah. According to Saudi authorities, you can usually perform Umrah a few days after the end of the Hajj rituals.