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Umrah visa

Saudi Arabia is the birthplace of Islam and home to many holy sites, most notably, Mecca and Medina. Millions of people from all over the world visit Saudi Arabia throughout the year to complete the holy pilgrimage to Mecca, called Umrah.

GCC citizens can travel to Saudi Arabia visa-free and need only show their passport or national ID at a Saudi port of entry. The new Saudi visa requirements 2022, allow citizens from 68 countries to apply for a Saudi tourist e-Visa at SaudiVisa.com and travel to Saudi Arabia for Umrah pilgrimage, except during Hajj season.

The new Umrah visa rules 2022 have extended the Saudi Umrah visa from 30 days to 90 days, affording Umrah pilgrims in Saudi Arabia ample time to complete the Umrah holy rituals. Umrah-specific Saudi visas cannot be extended, there are many other Saudi visa types.

Table of contents

Eligibility

To apply for a Saudi Umrah visa, foreign applicants must be at least 18 years old, of the Muslim faith, and meet a set of Saudi Umrah & Hajj visa requirements, detailed below. The new Saudi visa rules 2022, have laxed previous rules, now allowing women, 18 to 65 years old, to perform Umrah without a male guardian, on the condition that they are part of a group and have the permission of their husband or father, known as a Mahram. Children under 18 years of age must apply for a Umrah visa with a parent or legal guardian.

Validity

The new Saudi visa rules 2022 have extended the Umrah-specific Saudi visa validity period from 30 days to 90 days. This longer validity period is meant to afford Umrah pilgrims traveling to Saudi Arabia for Umrah purposes ample time to complete the Umrah holy rituals.

If you are traveling to Saudi Arabia for Umrah on the Saudi tourist electronic visa, then you will most probably have a multiple-entry visa valid for 1 year, allowing a 90-day stay each visit, or a single-entry visa valid for 90 days, allowing a 30-day stay. In all cases, you should check your visa information carefully, in order to avoid overstays and penalties.

Requirements

Saudi e-Visa

To apply online for a Saudi e-Visa, you must meet the following Saudi Arabia visa requirements:

Passport

Applicant must hold a passport that is valid for at least 6 months from the date of entering Saudi Arabia or that meets the rules of reciprocity.

Personal photos

Applicants have to submit one recent color photo; against a white background; 2x2 inches; 5 to 100 KB natural facial expressions; 80% face; no eyeglasses; no head wear, except for religious reasons.

Application

Fill out an online Saudi e-Visa application form, complete with passport data and other personal information.

Please note that visa applicants must be over 18 years old to apply without a parent or legal guardian.

Saudi Umrah visa

To apply for a Saudi Umrah visa, applicants must meet the following requirements:

Application

Applicant should complete a visa application form and apply through travel agents authorized by the Saudi Arabia Ministry of Hajj & Umrah.

Passport

Applicant must have a passport valid for 6 months from the date of application submission.

Personal photo

Applicant must submit 1 recent color photo; against a white background; 2x2 inches; natural facial expressions; photo 80% face; no eyeglasses; no head wear, except for religious reasons.

Vaccination certificate

A health certification against Meningococcal Meningitis, issued at least 10 days before and less than 3 years from entry into Saudi Arabia, which is valid for at least 3 years. Depending on nationality, age, and health condition, other vaccinations may be required, such as yellow fever, polio, and influenza.

Proof of relationship (for women and children)

Women and children should be accompanied by a husband or father, Mahram, when traveling to Saudi Arabia, and Mahram must provide proof of relationship in the form of a marriage or birth certificate. Women and children must travel on the same flights with the Mahram.

No-objection letter (for women traveling with a group)

The new Saudi Umrah rules 2022, allow women, 18 and 65 years old, to perform Umrah, without a male guardian, on the condition that they are part of a group and have the permission of their Mahram in a no-objection letter.

Ticket

Applicant must have a confirmed return/onward airline ticket.

Please note that when traveling in Saudi Arabia to perform Umrah, you will need a Umrah permit to visit the holy sites and perform the pilgrimage activities. To apply for a Umrah permit, pilgrims should use certain mobile applications, such as Nusuk, which is an official Saudi integrated digital platform released by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj & Umrah.

Current Saudi Arabia COVID-19 measures may require travelers provide certain vaccination certificates. All foreign travelers to Saudi Arabia, however, must register by filling out an immunization information form, except for airline crew, diplomats, and holders of a Saudi government visit visa. All visitors to Saudi Arabia are expected to carry medical insurance to cover any COVID hospitalization and other health issues that may occur. You are advised to check with your authorized Umrah visa agent about the specific visa requirements, as rules and regulations are subject to change.

Umrah visa application

Saudi tourist e-Visa

Foreign nationals from 68 countries are eligible to apply for the Saudi tourist e-Visa for the Umrah pilgrimage, except during Hajj season. The 3-step Saudi e-Visa application process is as follows:

Submit visa application

Fill out the online e-Visa application form, complete with personal data and requested information

Pay visa fees

Pay the Saudi e-Visa fees securely online with a valid credit or debit card.

Receive approved visa

If approved, your Saudi e-Visa will be sent to the email you provided. Check that all visa information is correct and matches the information on your passport.

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Saudi Umrah visa

Foreign nationals not eligible to apply for a Saudi tourist e-Visa should apply for their Saudi Umrah visa through travel agents authorized by the Saudi Arabia Ministry of Hajj & Umrah.

Saudi Umrah visas cannot be applied for at Saudi embassies or missions abroad and must be applied for through travel agents authorized by the Saudi Arabia Ministry of Hajj & Umrah.

Processing time

Saudi tourist e-Visas are issued within 24 hours. Visas tailored for Umrah are usually processed in around 5 business days. It is always advised to start your Saudi Umrah visa application process early, so as to avoid possible delays or unforeseen circumstances.

Extension

Saudi visas issued for Umrah travel cannot be extended, and travelers should depart from Saudi Arabia before their visa expires. You are advised to check your visa information carefully to avoid overstays and penalties.

FAQ

Visas tailored for Umrah, including the online Umrah visa application are processed in about 5 business days. If you are eligible to apply online for a Saudi tourist e-Visa, your visa will be issued within 24 hours. It is always advised to start your Saudi Umrah visa application process early, so as to avoid possible delays or unforeseen circumstances.

The new Umrah visa rules 2022 have extended the Umrah-specific Saudi visa validity period from 30 days to 90 days. This longer validity period is meant to afford Umrah pilgrims traveling to Saudi Arabia for Umrah purposes ample time to complete the Umrah holy rituals.

Umrah-specific Saudi visas cannot be applied for in person at Saudi embassies or missions abroad and must be applied for through travel agents authorized by the Saudi Arabia Ministry of Hajj & Umrah. If you are eligible to apply for a Saudi tourist e-Visa, and you are applying during the Hajj off-season, then you can apply online for your Saudi tourist e-Visa through SaudiVisa.com.

There is no age limit or requirement to perform Umrah.

You have the option to apply for the Umrah visa online via authorized agents’ portals. Alternatively, you also have the choice to opt for the Saudi tourist e-visa, which allows you to perform Umrah during your visit to Saudi Arabia. This convenience can thus be considered an Umrah e-visa. Additionally, there is the option of an Umrah transit visa, which allows individuals to perform Umrah while on a short transit (stopover) of up to 96 hours in Saudi Arabia. This visa type can also be conveniently applied for online.