Everything needed to travel for Umrah in 2026 β eVisa eligibility, visa on arrival, documents, the Nusuk permit, costs and duration-of-stay rules.
Performing Umrah no longer requires a dedicated Umrah visa for most travellers. Saudi Arabia allows Umrah to be performed on several visa types, and the right route depends on your nationality and travel plans.
| Route | Who it suits | Typical validity |
|---|---|---|
| Saudi eVisa (tourist) | Nationals of eligible countries | 1 year, multiple entry, up to 90 days per visit |
| Visa on arrival | Holders of valid US, UK or Schengen visas/residencies | As issued at the port of entry |
| Umrah visa via a licensed agent | Nationalities not covered by the eVisa | Single entry, defined stay |
| Visit or family visa | Visitors already in the Kingdom | As issued |
| Iqama holders | Residents of Saudi Arabia | Umrah permit via Nusuk |
Check whether your nationality is on the eVisa list on visa.mofa.gov.sa. If not, apply through a licensed Umrah operator in your country.
Passport valid for at least six months, a recent photograph, confirmed accommodation, a return ticket and medical insurance (usually bundled with the eVisa fee).
Complete the eVisa application, pay the fee by card, and wait for approval β commonly within a few days.
Download Nusuk, register with your passport details and reserve a permit slot for the Grand Mosque and, if desired, a Rawdah visit in Madinah.
Carry printed and digital copies of the visa and permit. Verify the visa status on visa.mofa.gov.sa before departure.
The visa fee is only part of the cost. Plan for the eVisa fee including mandatory insurance, flights, hotels in Makkah and Madinah, intercity transport, the Umrah permit (free through Nusuk) and living expenses. Prices rise sharply during Ramadan and school holidays, so booking early materially reduces the total.
Tourist eVisa holders may stay up to 90 days per visit within the one-year validity. Umrah visas issued through operators normally carry a shorter defined stay.
Women of any age may travel for Umrah without a mahram under current rules.
Check the current vaccination requirements published by the Saudi Ministry of Health before travel; requirements vary by country of origin and season.
Enter ihram at the designated miqat, follow the Nusuk permit timing, and respect crowd-management instructions inside the Haram.
Saudi Arabia now allows Umrah on several visa types. The tourist eVisa (available to citizens of 60+ countries and to holders of valid US, UK or Schengen visas) permits Umrah outside the Hajj season and costs around SAR 535 including mandatory medical insurance. The dedicated Umrah visa, arranged through licensed agents or the Nusuk platform, is aimed at pilgrims whose nationalities are not eVisa-eligible. GCC residents with valid residency can also apply for an Umrah permit through Nusuk regardless of nationality.
Since 2022, an Umrah permit booked on the official Nusuk app is mandatory even for visitors already inside the Kingdom:
Ramadan, especially the last ten nights, is the most spiritually rewarding but most expensive and crowded period. For a quieter, cheaper Umrah, travel in the months immediately after Hajj season (MuharramβSafar).