Umrah from Australia: Visa, Flights, Costs, and Requirements for 2026

Australian pilgrims performing Umrah need a Nusuk e-visa, MenACWY vaccination, and a connecting flight to Jeddah or Madinah via Asia or the Gulf.

Umrah Season and Best Time to Travel from Australia

The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah reopens the Umrah season after Hajj each year. The 1448 AH season opened in June 2026 and runs until Umrah visas pause again ahead of Hajj.

Outside the Hajj window, Umrah visas are available year-round, so the decision comes down to cost and crowds.

Best Months for Australian Pilgrims

• September to November: mildest weather in Makkah and Madinah, lower crowd density, and mid-tier package prices
• December to January: Australian school holiday peak, with flights and hotels heavily booked
• Ramadan (February to March 2027): the most spiritually rewarding window but also the most expensive and crowded
• June to August: lower demand from Australia, but Saudi summer temperatures regularly exceed 43°C

Confirm dates with the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah before locking in non-refundable bookings. The Umrah search at the top of this page prices departures roughly three months ahead, so for a Ramadan or mid-year trip, plan the season now and price it closer to the date.

Umrah Visa Requirements for Australian Passport Holders

Australian passport holders can apply for the Umrah e-visa online through Nusuk, the only official Umrah platform run by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah.

Visa Options for Australians

• Nusuk Umrah e-Visa: single entry, and you must arrive in Saudi Arabia within 30 days of issuance, then you may stay for up to 90 days
• Multiple-Entry Umrah Visa: launched in July 2026, valid 365 days from issuance, with 90 days of stay pooled across the whole year rather than reset per trip, and each entry needs its own Nusuk package and permit
• Saudi e-Tourist Visa: multi-entry, valid one year, and permits Umrah plus broader Saudi travel
• 96-Hour Transit Visa: free, issued by Saudia or flynas on eligible itineraries, allows a brief Umrah during a long layover

Documents You’ll Need

• Australian passport valid for at least six months from travel date, with two blank pages
• Recent digital photo with a plain white background
• Confirmed return air ticket
• Confirmed hotel booking linked to your visa application
• MenACWY meningococcal vaccination certificate

Processing usually takes 24 to 72 hours but can stretch to a week during Ramadan. Apply three to four weeks before your departure date.

Saudi authorities enforce a strict “No Booking, No Visa” rule. The application will not progress without a linked hotel reservation.

Health and Vaccination Requirements Before Departure

The Saudi Ministry of Health requires the MenACWY (quadrivalent meningococcal) vaccine for all Umrah pilgrims aged one year and over.

• MenACWY: mandatory, given at least 10 days before travel, and valid 3 years (polysaccharide) or 5 years (conjugate)
• Also recommended: influenza, hepatitis A and B, typhoid and MMR, plus polio if you are travelling from a listed risk region

Book a consultation with your GP or a travel clinic at least four weeks before departure. State guidance is available from NSW Health and other state health authorities.

Flights from Australia to Saudi Arabia

There are no direct flights between Australia and Saudi Arabia. Pilgrims connect through a Gulf or Southeast Asian hub on the way to Jeddah or Madinah.

Common Routings from Australian Cities

Total travel time from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, or Adelaide is typically 18 to 23 hours, including layover.

Perth often has the shortest flying time given its proximity to Southeast Asia and the Gulf. Sydney and Melbourne offer the widest schedule choice.

Choosing Jeddah or Madinah

Most pilgrims fly into Jeddah (JED), about 90 minutes by road from Makkah, and depart from Madinah (MED), or vice versa.

Umrah Package Costs from Australia

Most Australian pilgrims travel with a packaged tour because it bundles the visa, flights and accommodation into a single price, often with transport and on-ground support.

Booking online: Wego is an official partner of the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, with ministry-approved hotels and the eVisa in partnership with Nusuk. Packages are supplied by licensed Umrah operators, and the whole booking runs from your phone.

Prices vary widely with departure city, hotel proximity to the Haram, and season, and Ramadan is consistently the most expensive window of the year.

What to Check Before Booking

• Whether the visa, ziyarat tours, and Madinah transfer are included
• Distance between your hotel and the Haram in Makkah
• Group size and itinerary flexibility
• Cancellation and refund terms in writing
• ATAS accreditation of the travel agency

After You Arrive: Nusuk Permits and Performing Umrah

After landing in Jeddah or Madinah, clear immigration with your e-visa, return ticket, and vaccination certificate. Biometrics are captured on arrival.

Booking Your Umrah Permit on Nusuk

Every pilgrim must book an Umrah permit through the Nusuk app before entering the Haram in Makkah. The app also handles Rawdah Sharif reservations in Madinah.

• Download the Nusuk app on Google Play or the App Store
• Log in with your visa details
• Select a time slot for your Umrah permit (one per 14-day window while in Saudi Arabia)
• Book a separate Rawdah slot for Madinah (segregated by gender)

What You Can and Can’t Do on an Umrah Visa

• Allowed: travel anywhere in Saudi Arabia, including Riyadh, Jeddah, AlUla, and Taif during your stay
• Not allowed: working, performing Hajj on an Umrah visa, or entering Makkah without a valid permit
• Penalties: the Ministry of Interior sets overstay penalties at SAR 15,000 for a first offence, rising to as much as SAR 50,000 with up to six months in prison, deportation and a re-entry ban

Plan your departure around the two clocks on the standard e-visa. You must enter Saudi Arabia within 30 days of the visa being issued, and you may then stay for up to 90 days from the day you clear immigration.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I perform Umrah on a Saudi e-Tourist visa from Australia?

Yes. The Saudi e-Tourist visa allows Umrah and visits to Madinah, with the same Nusuk permit requirement applying for entering the Haram.

Do Australian permanent residents need a different process?

Australian permanent residents apply on the passport of their country of citizenship, not on the Australian travel document. The MenACWY vaccine certificate is still required.

Can Australian women perform Umrah without a mahram?

Yes. The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah no longer requires a male guardian for Umrah, at any age. Travelling with an organised group is recommended rather than required, and Wego has a full guide to Umrah without a mahram.

Sources

1. Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah
2. Nusuk Umrah Platform
3. Saudi Ministry of Health
4. Smartraveller: Saudi Arabia
5. NSW Health: Hajj Travel Advice

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.