Umrah 2026: Everything You Need to Know About This Year’s Pilgrimage

Last updated: Sep 8, 2026

Plan your Umrah trip

Wego’s Umrah platform is now live. Apply for your Saudi Umrah visa, then choose the airline, the hotel and the transport in one booking.

Table of Contents

When can you perform Umrah in 2026?

Umrah is generally available throughout the year, but Saudi Arabia suspends access for a period around Hajj each year for crowd management and safety. The 1448 AH season is open now, and its full calendar is below.

For the official season calendar and updated procedures, monitor the Nusuk platform and the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah’s Umrah page.

Umrah 2026–27 season (1448 AH) key dates

The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has announced the full calendar for the 1448 AH season:

31 May 2026: Umrah visa issuance and pilgrim entry into the Kingdom begin
1 June 2026: Entry into Makkah and Umrah permit issuance via the Nusuk app begin
9 March 2027: Final date for issuing Umrah visas
23 March 2027: Final date for pilgrims to enter the Kingdom
7 April 2027: Final date for pilgrims to depart

Umrah requirements for 2026

Book using Nusuk and approved channels

Booking online: Wego covers both routes in one place, with ministry-approved hotels in Makkah and Madinah and the eVisa in partnership with Nusuk. Packages come from licensed Umrah operators, and transport is included on some tiers only.

Nusuk is Saudi Arabia’s official platform for Hajj and Umrah planning and services. In 2026, there are two common ways travelers book Umrah, and Nusuk plays a role in both:

If you want an Umrah package that includes visa issuance and bundled services, use Nusuk Umrah, the Ministry-supervised platform that connects you with authorized service providers and available packages.
If you already have (or will get) your own visa (e.g., tourist/visit): use Nusuk to manage permits and key visit appointments like Rawdah.

Set up Nusuk early so you can log in, verify your details, and access your booking/QR codes quickly when needed:

Pre-booking checklist

Confirm your visa type fits your travel plan, and that you are not traveling during the annual Hajj-period suspension.
Make sure your passport details match what you enter in Nusuk (name spelling, passport number, date of birth).
Keep your vaccination documentation ready where applicable (see MOH guidance below).
Book your accommodation and transport before you apply. The Umrah visa is not issued at all without a verified Booking Reference Number covering both your hotel for the full stay and your transport, and those bookings must run through Nusuk or a licensed partner so the reference syncs to the Ministry.

Compare hotels in Makkah and hotels in Madinah on Wego before you book, and check the property is Nusuk-approved so it counts towards your visa application.

Umrah permit

Permits and visit appointments are managed digitally through official channels, so follow our complete guide to the Umrah permit process for who needs a permit, how to book, and common troubleshooting.

Health and vaccine requirements

Health requirements depend on your itinerary and country of origin. The Saudi Ministry of Health (MOH) publishes the official requirements and recommendations for Umrah visitors.

Meningococcal (meningitis) vaccination: All travelers aged one year and older arriving for Umrah must show proof of a quadrivalent meningococcal (ACWY) vaccine. The polysaccharide vaccine must have been administered within the past 3 years; the conjugate vaccine within the past 5 years. The vaccine must be given at least 10 days before arrival.

Airlines may check your vaccination certificate at boarding under GACA Circular No. 305, so confirm what your carrier wants to see before you fly.

Influenza vaccination is also strongly recommended for all pilgrims, particularly with the updated seasonal influenza vaccine.

For the full list of requirements and recommendations, refer to the official MOH health guidance for Umrah visitors: Health Requirements and Recommendations for Umrah Visitors. Check again closer to your trip in case a newer seasonal document is released.

Customs and declaration requirements

Saudi Arabia requires travelers to declare specific items when entering or leaving the Kingdom. ZATCA lists the main declarable categories for international arrivals as:

Currencies, bearer negotiable instruments, gold bars, precious metals, gemstones, and jewelry valued at SAR 60,000 or more (or the equivalent in other currencies)
Goods in commercial quantities or items valued above SAR 3,000
Goods subject to excise tax
Restricted and prohibited goods/items

You can review ZATCA’s traveler declaration rules for the full official guidance.

Dress and mahram requirements

Saudi Arabia expects modest public dress. For Umrah, women typically choose loose, non-revealing clothing suitable for crowds and heat. If you’re traveling with an operator, follow any operator-specific guidance (especially for group travel and transport arrangements). Saudi authorities have also publicly reiterated that women can perform pilgrimage without a male guardian (mahram).

What type of visa is needed for Umrah?

Saudi tourist e-visa

Saudi Arabia’s official eVisa portal states that the tourist eVisa allows tourism activities and Umrah (excluding Hajj), and is issued as a one-year, multiple-entry visa allowing stays of up to 90 days. You can apply through the official Saudi eVisa portal.

Family visit visa

If you have a Saudi citizen or resident relative, you may be eligible for a family visit visa. Applications are handled through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs portal: Saudi MOFA visa services.

Personal visit visa

Saudi citizens can invite friends to the Kingdom to visit. Depending on the visa conditions and your travel plan, visitors may be able to perform Umrah while in the Kingdom and should follow the applicable booking and access procedures shown for their visa type.

Transit/stopover visa

Travelers transiting through Saudi Arabia may be able to perform Umrah during a stopover, depending on eligibility and the stopover visa program terms. Some airline-issued stopover visas are valid for up to 96 hours after arrival and may allow Umrah (but not Hajj), with access managed through official booking channels.

Umrah visa via Nusuk Umrah

If you’re applying for an Umrah visa via a bundled service package, use the official Nusuk Umrah platform, which connects travelers with authorized service providers under the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah.

30-day entry window: Umrah visas are valid for only 30 days from the date of issuance. If you do not enter Saudi Arabia within 30 days of your visa being issued, it will be automatically cancelled.

Once inside the Kingdom, your stay period remains up to 90 days. Always check the validity printed on your issued visa and confirm the entry window with your provider before booking flights.

Saudi Arabia also launched a one-year multiple-entry Umrah visa on 20 July 2026, whose 90 days of stay are cumulative across the whole year rather than counted afresh at each entry, and every entry still needs a fresh Nusuk service package and permit.

Umrah 2026 FAQs

Can women perform Umrah without a mahram?

Saudi authorities have publicly reiterated that women can perform pilgrimage without a male guardian (mahram).

What vaccines do I need for Umrah?

A quadrivalent meningococcal (ACWY) vaccine is required for all travelers aged one year and older. It must be given at least 10 days before arrival, and must fall within the vaccine’s validity period (3 years for polysaccharide, 5 years for conjugate).

Influenza vaccination is also strongly recommended. For the full list, refer to the MOH health requirements and recommendations for Umrah visitors.

What are the penalties for entering Makkah without a permit during Hajj season?

The Saudi Interior Ministry has confirmed a fine of up to SAR 20,000 for unauthorized entry to Makkah during the Hajj period. Residents caught performing Hajj without a permit face deportation and a 10-year ban on re-entering the Kingdom. The Hajj restriction period runs from the 1st of Dhul Qadah to the 14th of Dhul Hijjah.

Sources

Disclaimer: Wego strives to ensure all information presented in this article is accurate and up to date at the time of publication. Travel policies, prices, visa requirements, and conditions can change rapidly. We strongly recommend verifying critical details with official sources before making travel decisions. Wego does not accept liability for any inaccuracies, oversights, or changes that may occur after publication.