Umrah eVisa 2026: Eligibility, Cost, Nusuk Rule and How to Apply

Last updated: Sep 4, 2026

The Umrah eVisa is the Saudi tourist eVisa used for Umrah outside the Hajj season, issued online through visa.visitsaudi.com.

You can apply for your Umrah eVisa directly through Wego’s Umrah eVisa service, a simpler way to handle your application alongside your flights and hotels in one place.

Who the Umrah eVisa Is For

The eVisa is built for independent travellers who want to combine Umrah with tourism in Saudi Arabia. It is the simplest route if your passport or existing visa qualifies you.

Eligible by Passport

Citizens of 66+ countries can apply directly through visa.visitsaudi.com. The list covers most of Europe, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, China (including Hong Kong and Macau), Kazakhstan, Turkey, Russia, South Africa, and others.

Eligible by Residency or Existing Visa

Even if your passport is not on the list, you may still qualify if you hold:

A valid US, UK, or Schengen tourist or business visa, used at least once to enter the issuing country
Permanent residency in the UK, US, or an EU country
A GCC resident permit (for Gulf-based expats travelling via approved routes)

This pathway has opened the eVisa to pilgrims from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Egypt, and several African countries who previously had to apply through an agent.

GCC Citizens

If you hold a passport from Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, or the UAE, you do not need a visa. Enter Saudi Arabia with your passport or national ID.

Not Eligible

If your nationality is not on the eVisa list and you do not hold a qualifying US, UK, or Schengen visa, you must apply for a dedicated Umrah visa through the Nusuk Umrah platform or a Saudi Ministry-approved travel agent.

What the Umrah eVisa Allows

The Saudi tourist eVisa is designed for short-stay leisure travel. Knowing what it covers, and what it does not, helps you pick the right route.

Validity and Stay Rules

Validity: 1 year from the date of issuance
Entries: Multiple
Maximum stay: Up to 90 days per visit
Extensions: Generally not extendable

Permitted Activities

Tourism, leisure travel, and visits to family or relatives
Umrah outside the Hajj period
Attending events, concerts, and sporting fixtures

Not Permitted

Hajj, which requires a dedicated Hajj visa
Paid work or business employment inside Saudi Arabia
Long-term residence

Important: Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has confirmed that holders of any valid Saudi visa (tourist, work, family visit, personal visit, or transit) may perform Umrah while in the Kingdom, subject to seasonal restrictions during Hajj.

The 2026 Nusuk Booking Rule You Cannot Skip

The biggest change for 2026 is not a price hike. It is a structural rule. Standalone Umrah visa applications are no longer accepted. Every visa must be tied to a verified Nusuk booking covering hotel and transport.

What You Must Book Before Applying

Accommodation: A confirmed hotel reservation in Makkah, Madinah, or both, through a Nusuk-approved provider
Ground transport: Pre-booked airport transfers and inter-city travel between Jeddah and Makkah or Madinah
Compliance documents: The Nusuk platform generates these automatically once your package is confirmed

Does This Apply to the Tourist eVisa?

If you are using the Saudi tourist eVisa purely for Umrah, you still need a Nusuk Umrah permit once you are inside the Kingdom, booked through the free Nusuk mobile app. You do not need to pre-book a full Nusuk package at visa application stage, which is the main difference between the tourist eVisa route and the dedicated Umrah visa route.

If you are combining Umrah with wider travel in Saudi Arabia, the tourist eVisa gives you flexibility the dedicated Umrah visa does not.

How to Apply for the Umrah eVisa Online

The full online process takes roughly 10 to 15 minutes. Approval is usually fast, often within 30 minutes, with a maximum of 48 hours.

What You Need Before You Start

Passport: Valid for at least six months beyond your date of entry
Photo: Recent passport-sized photo, 200 × 200 pixels, file size between 5 and 100 KB
Email address: For the verification code and the eVisa PDF
Payment card: Debit or credit card that accepts international transactions
Onward booking details: Flight and accommodation confirmations (helpful if asked)

Step-by-Step Application

Go to visa.visitsaudi.com and create an account or log in
Complete the online application form with your passport and personal details
Upload your passport photo in the required format
Pay the SAR 535 fee using a debit or credit card
Wait for the confirmation email. The eVisa PDF typically arrives within 30 minutes to 48 hours
Print a copy or save it to your phone to show at immigration

Age and Guardianship Rules

Applicants must be at least 18 to apply on their own. Travellers under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian, and an adult must apply on their behalf. Women aged 18 and above can now travel for Umrah without a male guardian, following a Saudi policy update under Vision 2030.

Costs, Alternatives, and Season Dates

The eVisa fee covers more than the visa itself. Knowing the full cost picture and the alternatives can save you money and time.

What SAR 535 Includes

Visa Route	Official Fee	Best For
Tourist eVisa (online)	SAR 535 (incl. insurance)	Eligible nationalities combining travel and Umrah
Visa on Arrival	SAR 480	Eligible travellers who skip the online form
Dedicated Umrah Visa	SAR 400 to 480 (incl. insurance)	Pilgrims from non-eVisa countries
Transit or Stopover Visa	Free via Saudia or flynas (service and insurance fees may apply)	Short Umrah during a layover (up to 96 hours)

The SAR 535 online fee bundles the visa charge, mandatory medical insurance, and processing cost. You should not be asked to pay for separate insurance on top.

Umrah Season Dates to Plan Around

The 1448 AH Umrah season opened on 31 May 2026, with entry to Makkah from 1 June 2026. Visas are issued until 9 March 2027. The last entry date is 23 March 2027, and every pilgrim must depart by 7 April 2027.

Entry window: One month from the date of visa issuance for the dedicated Umrah visa
Maximum stay: Up to 90 days inside Saudi Arabia

Quick Troubleshooting

eVisa not arriving: Check your spam or junk folder first, then log back into your account at visa.visitsaudi.com to view the status
Payment declined: Confirm your card allows international transactions in SAR; try a different card if needed
Photo upload fails: Resize to 200 × 200 pixels and keep file size between 5 and 100 KB
Past 48 hours with no update: Use the Visit Saudi contact form to raise a support request

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I perform Umrah on the Saudi tourist eVisa?

Yes, outside the Hajj season. The tourist eVisa permits Umrah but not Hajj. Once inside the Kingdom, book your Umrah permit through the free Nusuk mobile app.

How much does the Umrah eVisa cost in 2026?

The online tourist eVisa costs SAR 535, which includes the visa fee and mandatory medical insurance. Visa on arrival at eligible Saudi airports costs SAR 480.

Do GCC citizens need an eVisa?

No. GCC citizens can enter Saudi Arabia with a passport or national ID card and do not need a visa.

How long does the eVisa take to be issued?

Typically between 30 minutes and 48 hours. Most applicants receive the eVisa PDF by email within a few hours.

Can women travel for Umrah without a mahram?

Yes. Women aged 18 and above can perform Umrah without a male guardian. Saudi authorities still recommend joining an organised group for a first trip, but it is not required.

Is the eVisa extendable beyond 90 days?

No. The 90-day stay per visit is not extendable. You must exit Saudi Arabia before it expires; the eVisa itself remains valid for the rest of the one-year period for future entries.

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.