Umrah Visa 2026
The Complete Guide to Applying, Step by Step (And If You Cannot Travel, Here's the Solution)
Last updated: June 2026, based on the latest data from the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah and the official Nusuk platform.
Introduction
Every Muslim dreams of visiting the House of Allah and performing Umrah, but many stop at the first obstacle: how is the Umrah visa actually obtained? What's the difference between it and a tourist visa? And who needs an agent versus who can apply independently? This guide gathers all these details directly from their official sources, and closes with a practical solution for anyone unable to travel at all: how the reward of Umrah can still reach them through Moneeb.
What Is an Umrah Visa?
An Umrah visa is an electronic permit issued by Saudi Arabia allowing Muslims to enter the country to perform the rites of Umrah and visit the two Holy Mosques, at any time of the year except during the Hajj season. This visa is issued through two officially recognized channels approved by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah:
The "Nusuk Umrah" platform (umrah.nusuk.sa): for direct application without an intermediary, for citizens of around 66 eligible countries in addition to Gulf residents.
Authorized agents: for the remaining nationalities not eligible for direct application, through officially licensed Umrah agents and offices in the pilgrim's home country.
Official source: Nusuk Umrah Portal | Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah
The Difference Between an Umrah Visa and a Tourist Visa
A point many people confuse: the electronic tourist visa (e-Visa) also allows performing Umrah for citizens of eligible countries, without needing a separate Umrah visa, provided an entry permit for the Grand Mosque is obtained through the Nusuk app before arrival. So if you already hold a valid Saudi tourist visa, there's no need for an additional Umrah visa.
But the fundamental difference between them: under no circumstances is it permissible to perform Hajj with an Umrah visa, a tourist visa, or a visit visa; Hajj has its own designated visa issued only during its specific season through defined official channels, and violating this exposes a person to a fine of up to 20,000 Saudi Riyals, immediate deportation, and a ban from entering the Kingdom for up to ten years.
Who Can Apply Directly, and Who Needs an Agent?
Nationalities eligible for direct application via Nusuk: includes most European Union countries, the United Kingdom, the United States, Malaysia, Gulf Cooperation Council countries, and dozens of other countries (around 66 countries in total).
Nationalities requiring a licensed agent: such as India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Egypt, and a number of other countries, where application is submitted through a licensed Umrah agent in the pilgrim's home country instead of direct application.
Gulf citizens: do not need a visa at all to enter the Kingdom for Umrah, and a national ID is sufficient.
Gulf residents: need a visa through the electronic portal or the Nusuk platform, provided their residency in the Gulf country is valid for no less than three months.
Steps to Apply Through the Nusuk Platform (Step by Step)
Download the "Nusuk" app from the official store, or go directly to umrah.nusuk.sa.
Create a new account, specify your category as a visitor from outside the Kingdom, and select your nationality.
Enter your information (passport number, date of birth, email, phone number), and activate your account with the verification code (OTP) sent to you.
From the main menu, select "Apply for an Umrah Visa."
Choose the appropriate service package, which is now mandatory and includes: accommodation booking, transportation, and health insurance (standalone visa requests without a documented booking for these combined services are not accepted).
Complete payment, and wait for the visa to be issued.
Issuance time: typically within 24 hours for the direct electronic visa, while an agent-issued visa takes 3 to 5 business days.
Required Documents and Conditions
A passport valid for no less than 6 months from the travel date.
A recent personal photo with a white background.
Documented hotel and transport booking via the Nusuk platform (mandatory).
A confirmed round-trip flight ticket.
A certificate of vaccination against Quadrivalent Meningococcal Meningitis (ACWY), mandatory for everyone aged one year and above, and must be administered at least ten days before travel, per Saudi Ministry of Health requirements.
Health insurance (usually issued together with the visa itself).
Proof of kinship for women and children when required.
Fees in Detail
According to the official Nusuk Umrah platform, fees are distributed as follows:
Visa fee: 80 US Dollars (refundable in specific cases).
Digital service fee for the visa: 10.50 US Dollars (non-refundable).
Digital service fee for insurance: 10.50 US Dollars (non-refundable).
Insurance premium: varies depending on the chosen insurance provider.
As for Gulf residents applying through the electronic tourist visa portal, the cost is approximately 300 Saudi Riyals.
Validity Period and Length of Stay
The visa remains valid for 90 days from its date of issuance (not from the date of entry into the Kingdom), and during this period, free movement between different cities in the Kingdom is permitted, allowing you to visit Madinah, Jeddah, and other cities, not just Makkah.
The Easiest Route If You're Traveling with Saudia
If you're from an eligible nationality, Saudia and Flynas offer a practical, fast option: a free stopover/transit visa for up to 96 hours (4 days), which can be used to perform Umrah and visit Madinah during this period. According to the official Visit Saudi website, the processing fee is approximately 39.50 Saudi Riyals (roughly 10.50 US Dollars), plus mandatory health insurance starting from around 13 Saudi Riyals. This visa is issued automatically when booking your flight through the airline's official website.
Eligibility requirements for this option:
Booking a flight specifically through Saudia or Flynas (does not include other airlines).
Having a confirmed onward connecting flight to another destination after the stopover in Saudi Arabia (i.e., it is genuinely a transit visa, not a final entry visa).
Even with this visa, you must book your Umrah/Ziyarah appointment in advance through the Nusuk platform before heading to Makkah or Madinah.
Saudia also adds extra perks for its customers: a free hotel night for economy class ticket holders, and two nights in a five-star hotel for business class travelers.
Official source: Stopover/Transit Visa page - Visit Saudi official website | Saudia Airlines - Umrah page
Women and Minors
Women aged 18 and above can apply for an Umrah visa and perform Umrah without requiring a mahram (male guardian), per the latest updates from the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah. As for minors under 18, they must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian holding a valid visa, with their information linked to the guardian's application.
An Important Note Before You Book Anything
Under no circumstances can an Umrah visa be extended or converted into a Hajj visa. If you intend to perform Hajj, you must apply for a completely separate Hajj visa, through the "Nusuk Hajj" platform or licensed Hajj offices in your country, during its specific designated season only.
And What If You Cannot Travel at All?
Everything above assumes you are able to travel yourself. But what if your father passed away without performing his Umrah? Or your mother is medically unable to endure a journey like this? Or you yourself face a circumstance temporarily preventing you from obtaining a visa or traveling, while wanting this reward to reach a loved one who cannot make the journey?
This is where Moneeb comes in: a trustworthy Saudi platform specializing in delegated Umrah (Umrah al-Inabah), allowing you to request Umrah be performed on behalf of the deceased or the permanently incapacitated, through performers actually present in Makkah al-Mukarramah who don't need an Umrah visa at all since they already reside there, with complete photo and video documentation of every stage of the performance, and live tracking of the request's status every step of the way. So instead of your journey stopping at the obstacle of a visa or travel, you can deliver this reward to someone you love without any geographic or health barrier.
Conclusion and Official Sources for Reference
The Umrah visa has become today an almost entirely digital process, but it requires careful planning for its details (the mandatory booking, vaccination, fees, validity period). For more official and constantly updated details, refer directly to:
