On 5 February 2025, The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah announced the introduction of new visa options for Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) residents traveling to Saudi Arabia to perform Umrah. These changes mean that pilgrims from GCC countries will be able to apply for visas other than the traditional Umrah visa for their visit.
Eligible travelers residing in Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) now have the option to apply for transit and tourist visas for their Umrah pilgrimage.
The 96-hour transit visa for travelers with layovers in Saudi Arabia will enable them to perform Umrah during their layover. Travelers using the tourist visa can use it to visit Saudi Arabia for tourism, combining Umrah with trips to cultural and historical sites.
These visa reforms are announced as part of Saudi Arabia’s strategy to boost religious tourism to the country. It is hoped that by simplifying the process and enabling Umrah pilgrims to apply for visas digitally, traveling to Saudi Arabia for Umrah will become easier and more accessible.
Pilgrims should note that visa requirements still apply and visits to culture and historical sites may need to be booked in advance. Visitations at the Al Rawdah Al Sharif area at the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina must be booked through the Nusuk app, for example.