Pakistani citizens must hold a valid Saudi visa to enter the Kingdom and perform Umrah. The good news: the process is well-defined, and this guide walks you through every step — from choosing the right visa type to submitting your application through an approved operator.
Planning your Umrah? Search and compare Umrah packages, flights, and hotels on Wego to find the best options for your pilgrimage.
Types of visa for performing Umrah
The visa route you choose depends on your eligibility and how you are travelling — a dedicated Umrah trip, a Saudi holiday, or a short stopover.
Umrah visa
If your trip is specifically for Umrah, the Umrah (visit) visa is typically the most straightforward option. The official pilgrimage platform is Nusuk Umrah, which operates under the supervision of Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah and handles everything from visa-linked package booking to permits for the holy sites.
Important for Pakistani travellers: Nusuk does not currently accept direct Umrah visa applications from Pakistani passport holders. You will typically need to apply through a Pakistani operator attested by the Ministry of Religious Affairs & Interfaith Harmony, who will process your visa via the Nusuk Masar platform (the backend portal used by licensed agents).
Saudi tourist visa
Saudi Arabia offers a tourist eVisa that permits Umrah (excluding Hajj). However, Pakistani passport holders are not currently eligible for the standard tourist eVisa unless they hold a valid business or tourist visa issued by the US, UK, or a Schengen member state — in which case eVisa eligibility may apply. Check the official Saudi tourist eVisa portal to confirm your eligibility before planning around this route.
Important policy change (effective February 1, 2025): Saudi Arabia revised its visit visa policy for 14 countries, including Pakistan. Visitors from Pakistan are now only eligible for single-entry tourist visas valid for 30 days (previously, a one-year multiple-entry visa was available). This applies to tourism, business, and family visit visas. Confirm the current terms on the official portal before applying.
Stopover (transit) visa
If you are transiting via Saudi Arabia, you may be able to enter briefly using a stopover/transit visa tied to your airline booking. Availability and eligibility vary by airline and itinerary, so confirm the conditions in your booking flow and in the airline’s official guidance — Saudia, for example, publishes stopover visa details in its official visa information pages.
The new “No Booking, No Visa” rule for 2026
The most significant change for the 1447 AH (2026) Umrah season is Saudi Arabia’s enforcement of a “No Booking, No Visa” policy. Your visa application must now be linked to a Booking Reference Number (BRN) for both accommodation and transportation, verified through the Nusuk system.
In practical terms, this means you cannot secure an Umrah visa without:
- A confirmed hotel reservation in Makkah and/or Madinah through a Nusuk-approved hotel
- Pre-booked transport arrangements logged in Nusuk — typically airport arrival transfer, inter-city travel between Makkah and Madinah, and airport departure transfer
- Verified round-trip flight tickets
Even travellers who intend to stay with family or friends in Saudi Arabia are required to add a verified hotel booking in Nusuk for the visa to be processed. Bookings must be made through Nusuk-registered providers — independent bookings on third-party websites are not accepted as proof for the visa application.
What does an Umrah visa cost?
The Umrah visa itself carries an official government fee, but your total outlay as a Pakistani pilgrim — including insurance, operator service charges, transport, and accommodation — adds up to significantly more. For a full breakdown of all fees and what to expect to spend, see our dedicated guide: 2026 Umrah Visa Fee & Total Trip Cost for Pakistani Pilgrims.
1448 AH Umrah season dates
The 1448 AH season is open. Visa issuance resumed on 31 May 2026 and pilgrims have been able to enter Makkah since 1 June 2026. The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has set these deadlines for the rest of the season:
- Last date to issue an Umrah visa: 9 March 2027
- Last date for pilgrims to enter Saudi Arabia: 23 March 2027
- Last date for pilgrims to depart the Kingdom: 7 April 2027
Book flights to Jeddah early, because demand stays high through the season.
How to apply for an Umrah visa from Pakistan
For Pakistani passport holders in 2026, the practical path is through a licensed Umrah operator in Pakistan using the Nusuk Masar system. The Nusuk consumer app and website are still essential — you will use them for your pilgrim profile, mosque entry permits, and trip management — but the visa itself is typically submitted by your operator.
Documents checklist before you start
- Valid passport with at least six months’ validity from your intended entry date, plus two blank pages
- A clear digital passport photo meeting Saudi specifications
- An email address and mobile number you can access (for OTPs, updates, and receipts)
- A payment method for the fees and insurance shown during checkout
- Your intended travel window (even if dates are finalised later)
- Confirmed return flight tickets — required for the visa application
- Up-to-date vaccination certificates (see health requirements below)
Health requirements: Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Health publishes official Umrah health requirements updated each season. Pilgrims from Pakistan are typically required to show three vaccinations: meningococcal meningitis (ACWY), polio (taken at least four weeks before travel — Pakistan is on the WHO polio-transmission list), and seasonal flu.
Check the latest version close to your departure date in the Saudi Ministry of Health’s official Umrah health requirements PDF.
Apply via an approved Umrah operator in Pakistan
For Pakistani citizens, this is the default route in 2026.
- Shortlist an operator from the official attested Umrah tour operators list published by Pakistan’s Ministry of Religious Affairs & Interfaith Harmony for 1447 AH (2025–26).
- Ask for an itemised quote covering visa handling, Nusuk-approved hotel bookings in Makkah and Madinah, inter-city transport, airport transfers, insurance, and any service fees. Clarify what is refundable vs non-refundable.
- Provide your passport and documents exactly as they appear on your passport. Your operator will create or link your Nusuk pilgrim profile and submit your visa via Nusuk Masar.
- Track your application through the operator and the Nusuk app. Save your reference number, Booking Reference Numbers (BRNs), and visa copy once issued.
Processing usually takes around 5–10 working days during peak season, though many operators report approvals within 3–5 days when documents are clean. Apply at least a few weeks before your intended travel window.
Apply through Nusuk Umrah (if eligible)
Direct Nusuk applications are currently limited to specific nationalities, and Pakistani passport holders are generally not eligible to submit their Umrah visa directly through the consumer Nusuk platform. If the app indicates you are eligible, the flow is:
- Visit Nusuk Umrah and create an account or sign in.
- Select the Umrah flow available for your traveller details and itinerary.
- Book your Nusuk-approved hotel and transport, then proceed to the visa step.
- Enter traveller details exactly as shown on your passport, review the fees and insurance displayed during checkout, and complete payment inside the platform.
- Track your application and save a copy of your issued visa once approved.
If your application is delayed
- Re-check passport details were entered exactly (spelling, passport number, date of birth).
- Confirm every step is completed, including insurance selection, hotel BRN, and transport BRN.
- Check spam/junk for emails and SMS updates.
- If you used an operator, ask for your official reference number and status from the same system used for submission.
Umrah visa from Pakistan FAQs
How much does the Umrah visa cost from Pakistan?
The Umrah visa carries an official government fee, but the total cost for Pakistani pilgrims includes insurance, operator service charges, transport, and accommodation. For a full breakdown of what to expect, see our dedicated guide: 2026 Umrah Visa Fee & Total Trip Cost for Pakistani Pilgrims.
Can I do Umrah on a tourist visa?
Potentially, but Pakistani passport holders face restrictions. As of February 2025, Pakistan is among 14 countries for which Saudi Arabia only issues single-entry 30-day tourist visas (the previous one-year multiple-entry visa has been suspended). Eligibility for the eVisa requires a valid US, UK, or Schengen visa. Check the official Saudi eVisa portal to confirm whether you qualify before relying on this route.
Can I do Umrah on a stopover/transit visa?
Potentially, depending on your airline and routing. Stopover conditions vary, so confirm eligibility and the rules during booking and follow what is shown in your airline’s stopover/visa flow.
Can Pakistani citizens apply directly on the Nusuk app or website?
In most cases, no. The consumer Nusuk platform does not currently accept direct Umrah visa applications from Pakistani passport holders; the visa is processed by a licensed Pakistani operator via the Nusuk Masar system. You will still use the Nusuk app for your pilgrim profile, Rawdah permits, and trip management.
Do I really need to book a hotel through Nusuk if I’m staying with family?
Yes. Under the 2026 “No Booking, No Visa” rule, the Umrah visa system requires a verified hotel booking through a Nusuk-approved property even if you intend to stay with family or friends. Check with your operator for the most compliant way to handle this.
When does the 1448 AH Umrah season end?
The 1448 AH season opened on 31 May 2026. The final day to issue an Umrah visa is 9 March 2027, the last entry date is 23 March 2027, and all pilgrims must depart by 7 April 2027.
Should I use Nusuk or a Pakistani travel operator?
For Pakistani passport holders, a licensed operator from the MoRA-attested Umrah tour operators list is usually the required route in 2026. Verify any operator against the ministry list before you make any payment.
Sources
- Nusuk Umrah — Official Platform
- Saudi Arabia — Official Tourist eVisa Portal
- Saudi Ministry of Health — Umrah Health Requirements (PDF)
- Pakistan Ministry of Religious Affairs — Attested Umrah Operators (1447 AH)
- Pakistan Ministry of Religious Affairs — Latest News
- Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah — FAQs
- Saudia — Saudi Arabia Visa Information
- The Express Tribune — Saudi Arabia Announces New Visa Policy for 14 Countries, Including Pakistan
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.

