Umrah Travel Guide 2026: Visa, Health Rules and Staying Connected

To perform Umrah in 2026 you generally need a Saudi visa linked to a Nusuk-verified booking, a meningitis (MenACWY) vaccination certificate, and a passport valid for at least six months. Most visitors use either the Saudi tourist eVisa (multiple-entry, valid 12 months, up to 90 days per stay) or an Umrah eVisa issued through the Nusuk platform. Rules have changed recently and some nationalities must book through an authorised agent, so always confirm the latest requirements on the official Saudi channels before paying. Umrah can be performed year-round, unlike Hajj.

Which visa do you need for Umrah?

There are two common routes:

• Saudi tourist eVisa. The most flexible option for eligible nationalities. It is a multiple-entry visa valid for about 12 months, allowing stays of up to 90 days per visit, and can be used to perform Umrah. You apply directly online, book your own flights and hotels, and no travel agent is required.
• Umrah eVisa via Nusuk. A more structured option issued against a Nusuk-approved booking, usually as part of a package that includes accommodation and sometimes transport. It is also valid for up to 90 days.

Nationality matters. Some countries cannot apply directly on Nusuk. For example, Indian and Egyptian pilgrims generally must apply through an authorised travel agent rather than booking a standalone visa themselves. Check which route applies to your passport before you book.

The Nusuk booking requirement

Saudi Arabia now requires Umrah visa applications to be tied to verified bookings in the Nusuk system. In practice that means you typically need a confirmed hotel reservation in Makkah and/or Madinah through a Nusuk-approved hotel, pre-booked ground transport, and a booking reference before your visa can be approved. Permits are not issued on arrival without these. Inside Saudi Arabia you will also use the Nusuk app to book your Umrah permit, schedule entry to Masjid al-Haram, and reserve a Rawdah appointment in Madinah.

How to apply (general flow)

1. Sort your bookings first — Nusuk-approved hotel, transport, and return ticket.
2. Create an account at the official Saudi visa portal (visa.visitsaudi.com) or in the Nusuk app, using your passport details and verifying by OTP.
3. Enter your details exactly as they appear on your passport. Any mismatch is a common cause of rejection.
4. Upload documents — passport photo, return ticket, accommodation proof and vaccination certificate — then pay.
5. After approval, save the visa, then use Nusuk to book your Umrah and Rawdah permits.

One source cites an official Umrah visa fee of around SAR 300 (roughly US$80), but totals vary by route and package, so verify the current amount when you apply.

Documents and health requirements

• Passport valid for at least six months beyond your travel date, with at least two blank pages.
• Meningitis vaccine (MenACWY) is required. It must be given at least 10 days before travel and within the validity window for your vaccine type. Carry the physical certificate — border officials may check it on arrival even if you uploaded it.
• Return ticket and accommodation proof matching your Nusuk booking.

Because health and entry rules change, confirm the current vaccination requirements with official Saudi sources before you travel.

Staying connected during Umrah

Reliable data matters more than usual on an Umrah trip: you will rely on the Nusuk app for permits and slot bookings, on maps between Makkah and Madinah, and on staying in touch with your group. A travel eSIM is the simplest way to stay online, and it avoids a practical hurdle — Saudi Arabia requires in-person registration with your passport and fingerprint to buy a local physical SIM, which an eSIM sidesteps entirely.

A few tips specific to Umrah:

• Install before you fly. Set up the eSIM at home, scan the QR code, and land in Jeddah or Madinah already connected.
• Keep your home number active for OTPs. A data-only eSIM handles your internet while your primary SIM stays available for the verification codes Nusuk and your bank send by SMS.
• Check your phone supports eSIM before buying.

Compare plans on our Saudi Arabia eSIM page, and if eSIM is new to you, start with what is an eSIM and does my phone support eSIM.

Before you go: a quick checklist

• Choose your visa route (tourist eVisa or Umrah eVisa via agent/Nusuk) based on your nationality.
• Book Nusuk-approved hotel and transport before applying.
• Get the MenACWY vaccine at least 10 days ahead and carry the certificate.
• Check passport validity (6+ months) and blank pages.
• Set up a Saudi Arabia eSIM and consider travel insurance for Saudi Arabia.
• Download the Nusuk app and test your login before departure.

This guide is general information, not official advice — always confirm the current visa, booking and health rules on visa.visitsaudi.com and the Nusuk platform before you pay or travel.