Saudi Arabia Umrah Visa Guide for 2024

Every year, millions of Muslims from around the world come to Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj and Umrah. To make it easier for more Umrah pilgrims to come and visit the Holy Mosques, the Pilgrim Experience Program has made things more digital and accessible, including the Umrah visa application.

From this article, you will learn all about the Umrah visa 2024 — the new rules, the documents required, how to obtain it, and how to get a compliant Umrah visa photo.

Table of contents

• Umrah Visa: New Rules for 2024
• Umrah Visa VS E-visa to Saudi Arabia
• Can You Apply for Umrah Visa Online?
• Umrah Visa Application Process
• Documents Required for Umrah Visa Application
• Saudi Arabia Visa Photo Requirements
• Get an Umrah Visa Photo Online
• Take a Saudi Visa Photo With Phone
• Umrah Visa Fees
• Umrah Visa Duration
• Can Umrah Visa be Extended?

Umrah Visa: New Rules for 2024

An Umrah visa allows Muslims to travel to Saudi Arabia to perform the Umrah pilgrimage, which is a Muslim religious event that can be performed at any time of the year.

Recently, Saudi Arabia announced that people with permanent residency in countries such as the European Union, the UK, and the US no longer need an Umrah visa to perform the pilgrimage. The idea behind this is to make the process of performing Umrah more convenient, improve the services provided to pilgrims, and enhance the overall experience. This is part of Saudi Arabia's ambitious plan for the year 2030.

If you're eligible, you can now plan your pilgrimage using the Nusuk app from the official Nusuk platform, which is mandatory for pilgrims. You will even be able to go straight to your Umrah pilgrimage as soon as you arrive. Also, you can now go on a pilgrimage with just a transit visa if you're flying on Saudi Arabia's main airline.

In addition, Saudi Arabia now offers Umrah visa upon arrival for pilgrims from more countries. The list has grown to include the UK, USA, several European countries, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea, Japan, Kazakhstan, Brunei, and China. These visas are good for 90 days and can be picked up whether you're arriving by plane, boat, or car.

But remember, if you want to perform the Hajj, the great annual Muslim pilgrimage, you will need a different visa than the Umrah visa.

Umrah Visa VS E-visa to Saudi Arabia

The Umrah Visa and Tourist E-Visa for Saudi Arabia have differences in their purposes, eligibility, and requirements for application. While the tourist e-visa, is available to citizens of 49 countries and allows holders freedom to explore the entire country, the Umrah visa does not limit applicants by nationality, but restricts travel to Jeddah, Makkah, and Medina and is available only to Muslims.

Can You Apply for Umrah Visa Online?

You can apply for your Umrah visa online through the official Nusuk platform. This e-service allows travelers from anywhere to plan their visit, obtain an e-visa, and book hotels and flights all in one place.

Umrah Visa Application Process

Umrah visa how to apply? To get your Umrah visa, you can contact a travel agency that offers special Umrah packages. To obtain an Umrah visa without agent you can apply directly to the embassy or, if you are eligible, apply for a Saudi e-visa, which is a popular choice for many Muslims planning to perform Umrah because it's quick and easy.

Follow these steps if you're applying through a travel agency:

1. Choose a travel agency that is approved to process Umrah visa applications. These agencies work with the Saudi government to obtain visas.
2. Gather your documents (see list below), including a completed Umrah Visa Application Form.
3. Submit your form and all required documents to an approved travel agent or through online platforms for processing.

Please remember that once you're in Saudi Arabia, you'll need to download two important apps to your smartphone:

• The Tawakkalna app that shows your vaccination status. It's required to enter hotels, restaurants, and mosques.
• The Nusuk app, to book prayer times and link it to your Tawakkalna app.

Getting your Umrah visa usually takes between 24 hours and 3 business days, depending on where you're applying from. Once you have your visa, you're ready to go to Saudi Arabia.

Can I obtain an Umrah visa without package? These days, you can apply for an Umrah visa online through an e-visa service in some countries, bypassing travel agencies. Still, you'll need to buy an Umrah package because the visa is only for the pilgrimage. This way, your stay and activities will be within the established rules.

If you're not using a package, another option is to apply for a tourist visa. This allows you to visit Saudi Arabia, but, keep in mind, that this visa has different rules than an Umrah visa.

Documents Required for Umrah Visa Application

Here are the documents you need to apply for an Umrah visa according to the Umrah visa requirements:

• A fully completed original Umrah visa application form.
• A recent, passport-sized color photo with a white background.
• A passport, valid for at least six months at the time of application.
• A confirmed, non-refundable airline ticket. Remember about Umrah visa restrictions during the Hajj season and the exit date.
• If you're not applying from your home country, you'll need a valid residency permit.
• A certificate of vaccination against meningococcal meningitis is required. It must be issued at least 10 days before you enter Saudi Arabia, but not more than three years old. You must bring this certificate with you.
• Proof of being a Muslim: If it's not obvious from your name that you are Muslim, you should bring a certificate from a mosque or Islamic center confirming your faith.
• If a woman is traveling with a male family member (mahram), a document proving their relationship, such as a marriage or birth certificate, is required.
• *Note: Women over 45 can apply without a mahram if they are part of a group and don't need to provide proof of relationship.

Saudi Arabia Visa Photo Requirements

When applying for a Saudi visa, including an Umrah visa, you need to make sure your photo meets certain rules. Here's what you need:

• Your visa photo size should be 2×2 inches or 200x200 pixels.
• The photo must be clear, with a minimum resolution of 600 dpi.
• Your photo must be in color, not black and white.
• Keep the background plain white, with no patterns or other colors.
• Look directly at the camera with your face in the center of the photo, occupying 70% to 80% of the photo.
• Wear clothing that is a different color from the white background. If you wear a head covering for religious reasons, make sure it doesn't cover your forehead or chin.
• The photo should be recent, no more than six months old, to show how you look now.

Here is an example:

Get an Umrah Visa Photo Online

Need an Umrah visa photo fast? Try Visafoto.com, known for its 99.7% photo acceptance rate. Just take a photo against a white background, upload it to Visafoto.com, and you're almost there.

Visafoto will adjust your photo to make sure everything is just right for your visa application, including size and background color. You'll get a digital version for online submission and a printable version. And if there's a problem with your photo, Visafoto promises a 100% refund.

First, take a photo of yours like this one:

Visafoto has your back: you will get a photo fitting the requirements of online application.

Take a Saudi Visa Photo With Phone

One more convenient way to get your visa photo is to download the 7ID app, supported by Visafoto.com, on your iPhone or Android. It's perfect for any visa application, whether you need a digital photo or a printed one.

Simply upload your photo, select the document type and country, and let 7ID do the work. The app will automatically resize, center your face, and change the background color to meet the photo criteria.

You can print your photos on standard paper sizes like 10×15 cm, A4, A5, and B5, making it easy to print at home or anywhere else.

And if you're looking for advanced editing, 7ID’s Expert Tool will sharpen your image for you. If you run into any issues, our 24/7 support is here to make sure your photo is perfect.

With 7ID, getting the right Saudi Arabia and Umrah visa photo is easy, ensuring you meet all requirements without stress.

Umrah Visa Fees

While the Umrah visa doesn't cost anything, travel agencies may charge their Umrah visa fee for visa processing and other services related to Umrah, which can bring the total Umrah visa rate to around $100 to $400.

If you're looking for a Saudi e-visa that includes Umrah, here's what it might cost:

• The tourist e-visa is SAR 535 (about USD 142), which includes full medical insurance during your stay.
• If you get your tourist visa upon arrival, it will cost SAR 480 (about USD 127).

Umrah Visa Duration

What is Umrah visa validity after stamping? The one-year Umrah visa allows multiple entries with an Umrah visa duration of up to 90 days per visit to Saudi Arabia.

However, if you're visiting during Ramadan, you must leave by the end of the holy month, no matter how long you stay.

Please, note that an Umrah visa during Hajj is not available — this visa is specifically valid throughout the year except for Hajj season, as pilgrims are not eligible to perform Umrah during the Hajj season.

What is Umrah visa exit date? The holder of the Umrah visa should leave the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia before the 29th of Dhul-Qi'dah 1445, which corresponds to the 6th of June 2024.

Can Umrah Visa be Extended?

You cannot extend an Umrah visa beyond its original period. Once you have your Umrah visa, the dates are set in stone. You must complete your pilgrimage within the timeframe of the visa. This is now 90 days, which is enough time to complete all the Umrah rituals. It's important to leave Saudi Arabia before your visa expires to avoid fines or being banned from future visits.