Saudi Arabia Umrah Visa Guide for 2026

Every year, millions of Muslims from around the world travel to Saudi Arabia to perform Umrah and visit the Holy Mosques. In recent years, Saudi Arabia has expanded digital visa services and introduced new options to make Umrah travel more accessible, including a dedicated multiple-entry Umrah visa.

In this guide, you will learn about Saudi Arabia Umrah visa requirements for 2026, available visa options, the application process, required documents, Nusuk permit rules, fees, and how to get a compliant Umrah visa photo.

Table of contents

• Umrah Visa: New Rules for 2026
• 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
• Umrah Visa Fees
• Umrah Visa Duration
• Can Umrah Visa be Extended?
• Frequently Asked Questions

Umrah Visa: New Rules for 2026

An Umrah visa allows Muslims to travel to Saudi Arabia to perform Umrah, a pilgrimage that can be completed throughout the year outside the Hajj season.

In 2026, Saudi Arabia introduced a dedicated multiple-entry Umrah visa designed for travelers who plan to perform Umrah more than once within a year. The visa is valid for 365 days from the date of issue and allows multiple visits to the Kingdom. However, holders can stay in Saudi Arabia for a maximum of 90 days in total across all visits, not 90 days on every trip.

Each trip made with the dedicated Umrah visa requires a new service package from an approved provider through the official Nusuk Umrah platform. Travelers must also obtain an Umrah permit through Nusuk, with dates matching their approved package.

The dedicated Umrah visa cannot be used during the Hajj season, from 1 Dhu al-Qi’dah through 13 Dhu al-Hijjah. It also does not authorize Hajj or employment in Saudi Arabia.

Depending on your nationality and circumstances, you may also be able to perform Umrah using other Saudi visa options, including the official Saudi tourist eVisa portal, visa on arrival, or a qualifying stopover visa. These options have their own eligibility rules and conditions.

Remember that an Umrah visa or any other visit visa does not replace a Hajj visa. Travelers who wish to perform Hajj must follow the separate Hajj visa requirements.

Umrah Visa VS E-visa to Saudi Arabia

The dedicated Umrah visa and the Saudi tourist eVisa are two different ways to travel to Saudi Arabia for Umrah. The best option depends on your nationality, travel plans, and whether you intend to make repeated Umrah visits.

The dedicated multiple-entry Umrah visa is designed specifically for pilgrims who plan to perform Umrah within a one-year period. It is valid for 365 days, allows multiple entries, and requires a service package from an approved provider through the official Nusuk Umrah platform for each trip.

The Saudi tourist eVisa is another option for eligible passport holders. It allows tourism in Saudi Arabia and also permits Umrah, but it cannot be used for Hajj. The visa is normally valid for one year with multiple entries, while the allowed stay period depends on the visa conditions shown during the application process.

Unlike the dedicated Umrah visa, the tourist eVisa does not require an Umrah package before applying. However, travelers performing Umrah still need to obtain an official permit through the Nusuk platform.

Can the Saudi e-Visa be used for Umrah? A complete guide for pilgrims

Can You Apply for Umrah Visa Online?

Yes, in many cases you can apply for a Saudi visa online. The application process depends on the type of visa you choose.

For the dedicated multiple-entry Umrah visa, travelers should apply through the official Nusuk Umrah platform and select a package from an approved Umrah service provider. A new package is required for each trip, and an Umrah permit must be obtained through Nusuk before performing Umrah.

Eligible travelers can also apply for a Saudi tourist eVisa. This visa allows tourism and Umrah, but not Hajj. After arrival, travelers performing Umrah must still obtain the required permit through Nusuk.

Umrah Visa Application Process

The application process depends on whether you are applying for the dedicated Umrah visa or using another Saudi visa option that allows Umrah.

To apply for the dedicated multiple-entry Umrah visa:

1. Create an account on the official Nusuk Umrah platform.
2. Select your country of residence and nationality.
3. Choose an approved Umrah service provider and purchase a required package.
4. Submit your passport details, photo, health information, and other required documents.
5. Pay the applicable visa, insurance, and package fees.
6. After the visa is issued, obtain your Umrah permit through Nusuk before travel.

To apply for a Saudi tourist eVisa for Umrah:

1. Visit the official Saudi eVisa portal.
2. Create an account and complete the application form using your passport details.
3. Upload your passport copy and compliant visa photo.
4. Pay the visa and insurance fees.
5. Download your eVisa after approval and obtain an Umrah permit through Nusuk before performing Umrah.

Processing times vary depending on the visa type, nationality, and application channel. Submit your application early and wait until the visa is officially issued before making travel arrangements.

Documents Required for Umrah Visa Application

The exact documents depend on the type of Saudi visa you apply for. In general, prepare:

• A passport valid for at least six months from the intended entry date.
• A scan of the passport bio page.
• A recent digital passport photograph meeting Saudi visa photo requirements.
• An active email address and mobile phone number.
• A payment card for visa and service fees.
• Vaccination certificates required for Umrah pilgrims.
• Saudi medical insurance generated or selected during the application process.
• An Umrah service package from an approved provider if applying for the dedicated Umrah visa.
• Accommodation and travel details if requested.

Saudi Arabia Visa Photo Requirements

When applying for a Saudi visa, including an Umrah visa or tourist eVisa, your digital photo must meet the official requirements. For the Saudi eVisa application, the photo should have the following specifications:

• Dimensions: 200 × 200 pixels.
• File size: between 5 KB and 100 KB.
• The photo must be in color and taken within the last six months.
• The background must be plain white, without patterns, shadows, or other objects.
• Your face must be centered and looking directly at the camera.
• The face should occupy approximately 70% to 80% of the image.
• The photo must show your face and the top of your shoulders clearly.
• No other people or objects should appear in the photo.
• Head coverings are generally not allowed unless worn for religious reasons. If you wear a religious covering, your face must remain fully visible from the chin to the forehead, without shadows.

Avoid using filters, heavy retouching, angled photos, images with poor lighting, or pictures copied from an old passport or ID.

Here is an example:

Get an Umrah Visa Photo Online

Need an Umrah visa photo that meets Saudi requirements? Visafoto.com helps you create a compliant digital photo from a picture taken with your smartphone. The service is known for its 99.7% photo acceptance rate and checks your image against official document photo requirements.

Simply upload your photo, and Visafoto will automatically adjust it for your Saudi visa application. The service changes the background if needed, corrects framing, improves image quality, and enhances lighting to create a studio-style result. Even photos taken in less-than-ideal conditions or from scans can be improved.

After processing, you receive a digital file suitable for online submission and a printable template. If your photo created with Visafoto is not accepted by a government authority, the service offers a 100% refund.

Start with a simple photo taken with your phone:

Visafoto processes the image according to Saudi visa photo requirements, helping you prepare a photo with the correct size, background, and framing for online application.

Umrah Visa Fees

The cost of an Umrah visa depends on the visa type and application route. The dedicated multiple-entry Umrah visa has separate visa, insurance, and service package costs.

• Base Umrah visa fee: US$80.
• Insurance digital services fee: US$10.50 (non-refundable).
• Insurance premium: varies depending on the insurer and traveler.
• Nusuk Umrah service package: separate cost that depends on the selected provider and services.

If you choose a Saudi tourist eVisa instead, the final price will be shown during the official application process and may include visa and insurance charges.

Umrah Visa Validity and Duration of Stay

The dedicated multiple-entry Umrah visa is valid for 365 days from the date of issue and allows multiple visits to Saudi Arabia. However, the total stay cannot exceed 90 days across all visits combined. This means the 90-day limit applies cumulatively, not separately to each trip.

The dedicated Umrah visa cannot be used during the Hajj season, from 1 Dhu al-Qi’dah through 13 Dhu al-Hijjah. Travelers must also remember that visa validity and the permitted duration of stay are different: having a visa valid for one year does not mean you can stay in Saudi Arabia for the entire year.

Can Umrah Visa Be Extended?

Whether a Saudi visa can be extended depends on the visa type and current regulations. Travelers should not assume that an Umrah visa can be extended after reaching the maximum permitted stay.

To avoid penalties, make sure you leave Saudi Arabia before your authorized stay expires. Overstaying a Saudi visa may result in fines, deportation, or restrictions on future entry.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens to the dedicated Umrah visa after I leave Saudi Arabia?

After you leave Saudi Arabia, the multiple-entry Umrah visa becomes temporarily inactive. It can be reactivated for a new trip after you purchase a new service package through an approved Nusuk Umrah provider, obtain the required permit, and complete the eligibility checks.

Can I use the Umrah visa during Hajj season?

No. The Umrah visa cannot be used during the Hajj season, from 1 Dhu al-Qi’dah through 13 Dhu al-Hijjah. It is intended for Umrah visits and does not allow holders to perform Hajj.

Do children need a separate Umrah visa?

Yes. Every child traveling to Saudi Arabia needs an individual passport and their own visa or other valid entry authorization. A parent or legal guardian must complete the application for a minor.

Can women perform Umrah without a mahram?

Yes. Adult women can apply for an Umrah visa and travel independently. Saudi Arabia does not impose a general mahram requirement for adult women performing Umrah.

Can I perform Umrah with a stopover visa?

Yes, eligible travelers can perform a short Umrah visit using the Saudi stopover visa during transit. The stopover visa allows a stay of up to 96 hours and is available through qualifying airline bookings.

Do I need a vaccination certificate for Umrah?

Yes. Meningococcal ACYW vaccination is required for Umrah pilgrims. The vaccine must be administered at least 10 days before arrival and must meet the validity period specified by Saudi health authorities. Additional vaccinations, such as polio or yellow fever, may be required depending on the country of departure.

Can non-Muslims enter Makkah or perform Umrah?

No. Umrah is a Muslim pilgrimage, and non-Muslims cannot perform Umrah or enter the restricted holy areas in Makkah.

What happens if my passport expires after I receive my Umrah visa?

You must travel using the same passport that was used during the visa application. Make sure your passport remains valid for at least six months from your intended entry date before applying.

Can I use a tourist eVisa if my passport is not eligible for the Umrah visa?

If your nationality is not eligible for the Saudi tourist eVisa, check other available visa options through the official Saudi visa platforms or an approved Umrah provider. Eligibility depends on your nationality and circumstances.

Last update: July 2026