Umrah Visa Guide 2026: Apply Online, Fees & Requirements

Navigating Saudi Arabia's visa regulations for Umrah in 2026 requires understanding critical distinctions between visa types, mandatory digital permits, and compliance rules. This authoritative guide demystifies the application process, ensuring you arrive fully compliant and prepared.

Once your visa is approved, the next step is registering on the Nusuk App for your Umrah and Rawdah permits — see our Nusuk App Guide for the complete walkthrough. For everything else you need before departure, see the Complete Umrah Checklist.

Saudi Tourist e-Visa — The Popular Choice

The Tourist e-Visa represents the most flexible option for Umrah pilgrims from eligible countries. Valid for one year with multiple entries, it permits both tourism and religious pilgrimage.

• Key advantages: multiple entries within one year, up to 90 days per entry, enables visiting other Saudi cities, completely online application, usually processed within 24–72 hours.
• Who qualifies: citizens from 63 eligible countries, including the UK, USA, EU, Australia and Canada.
• Umrah performance: yes, you can perform Umrah with a Saudi Tourist Visa. However, you must obtain Umrah permits through the Nusuk App — the visa grants entry to the country, while Nusuk permits grant pilgrimage access. Both are mandatory.
• Cost: £100–£130 including visa fee and mandatory health insurance.

Official Umrah Visa (Through Authorised Agents)

The traditional Umrah Visa remains available through licensed travel agents, specifically designated for religious pilgrimage.

• Key characteristics: valid 30 days from entry (single entry only), restricted to Makkah, Madinah, and Jeddah regions, arranged through authorised agents, is usually processed in 3-7 days.
• When to choose: if your nationality isn't eligible for an e-Visa, when travelling with a package tour operator, or wanting a visa designated specifically for religious purposes.
• Important distinction: the Umrah Visa differs fundamentally from the Hajj Visa. Hajj visas are issued only during the Hajj season, requiring participation in a lottery. Umrah can be performed year-round (except Hajj days) without entering a lottery.

Visa on Arrival (VOA) Requirements

Citizens from select GCC countries and from countries with bilateral agreements may qualify for VOA. However, Umrah permits must still be secured through Nusuk before arrival. For dedicated Umrah travel, it may be best to pre-arrange either a Tourist e-Visa or an Official Umrah Visa.

What Nusuk controls: Umrah permits, Rawdah visit permits, prayer permits during peak times, Ziyarat bookings.

Critical understanding: your Saudi visa grants country entry. Your Nusuk permit grants pilgrimage permission. Both are mandatory and separate.

Documents Needed: Passports, Photos, and Vaccinations

• Passport: minimum 6 months validity, two blank pages. UK passports usually get expedited processing.
• Photographs: recent passport-sized (2x2 inches), white background, digital JPEG, minimum 200KB.
• Mandatory vaccinations: There is no mandatory vaccination for Umrah except for the Meningitis vaccination (see the details below).

Saudi Umrah Visa Cost and Fees from the UK

• Tourist e-Visa (2026): visa fee £80-£90, mandatory insurance £20-£30, service fees £10-£15. Total: £110-£135.
• Official Umrah Visa: processing £60-£80, agent fees £30-£50. Total: £90-£130.
• Payment methods: international credit/debit cards for e-Visa. Official Umrah payments through authorised agents.

Is a Meningitis vaccination certificate mandatory for Umrah?

The answer depends on your specific visa type. Review the table below for a comprehensive breakdown:

The 30-Day Rule vs. 90-Day Stay

• Tourist e-Visa: valid 1 year from date of issuance (multiple entry), maximum 90 days per entry, total 180 days annually. Your 90-day period begins from the entry stamp, not the date of issuance. Overstaying triggers SAR 500-1,000 daily fines.
• Official Umrah Visa: valid 90 days from date of issuance for entry, maximum 30 days from entry date, single entry only.

Example: tourist e-Visa is issued January 1st (valid until December 31st). Entry to Saudi Arabia is March 1st. Must exit by May 30th (90 days from entry), even though the visa is valid until December 31st.

Compliance: calculate departure date from the entry stamp. Set reminders 7 days before expiry. Book flights with a 2-3 day buffer.

Access portal using credentials, navigate to "My Applications," enter reference number. Check status category: Received (submitted), Under Review (examining), Approved (download available), Rejected (reason provided).

Track after approval by using the visa number linked to the passport in immigration databases. Airlines verify during check-in. Immigration gates scan at entry. Approved visas cannot be modified—details are final.