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Updated February 2025

Umrah 2025 latest news

In early February 2025, the Saudi General Civil Aviation Authority (GACA) announced a policy change, notifying all airlines that the meningitis vaccination is no longer required for entry into the Kingdom or for performing Umrah. This update is intended to ease travel restrictions and enhance accessibility for pilgrims.

Can Pakistanis perform Umrah in 2025?

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has reopened Umrah visa applications following a successful Hajj season. Umrah seekers from Pakistan and all over the world are allowed to apply for the pilgrimage.

Women aged 18 to 65 are permitted by the Ministry of Hajj to perform Umrah without a male guardian or “mahram”, provided they are part of a group. They are also required to be vaccinated and free of any diseases.

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When is the best time for Umrah 2025?

Many Muslims prefer to perform Umrah during Ramadan. Especially since the holy month itself is believed to be a time when the Qur’an was first revealed to the Prophet Muhammad SAW, thus, Ramadan is marked as a month full of blessings. That is the reason why all good deeds are encouraged during Ramadan, including Umrah.

Ramadan in Pakistan 2025: When and How to Celebrate

 

However, visiting Umrah during Ramadan can get a bit expensive since the cost of the Umrah package is expected to rise during Ramadan, especially during the last 10 days of Ramadan. A significant rise in cost has been reported for Umrah packages from Umrah operators in Saudi Arabia.

The same case will likely occur for Umrah operators in Pakistan as well, considering Saudi Arabia now has established the Value Added Tax (VAT) to 15%, foreign exchange rate and other aspects would make the cost of Umrah packages rise.

What are the requirements of Umrah 2025?

There are two main requirements for people looking to perform the Umrah: an Umrah visa and a permit. Here, we list all the requirements and steps to obtain both requirements for Pakistani pilgrims.

Umrah permit

As of now, it is mandatory for Umrah pilgrims from Pakistan to book their permits for Umrah through the Nusuk or Tawakkalna apps.

Umrah visa

Saudi Arabia is currently issuing Umrah visas to foreign pilgrims wishing to perform the Umrah, including the ones from Pakistan.

The validity of Umrah visa for Pakistani pilgrims in Saudi Arabia is 90 days. This new arrangement allows pilgrims to move about freely within Saudi Arabia without any restraints. Holders of the Umrah visa must complete the Umrah and ensure their departure from Saudi Arabia is within the allotted time.

Umrah vaccine requirements

There are a few vaccine requirements foreign pilgrims have to pay attention to before they arrive in Saudi Arabia:

Yellow Fever vaccine: Travelers over 9 months from yellow fever risk zones must present a valid lifetime vaccination certificate, effective 10 days post-administration. This requirement is essential to prevent yellow fever transmission and safeguard public health.

Poliomyelitis vaccine: Travelers from countries reporting WPV1, cVDPV1, or cVDPV2 must receive at least one dose of the bivalent oral polio vaccine (bOPV) or the inactivated polio vaccine (IPV). This requirement ensures protection against poliovirus transmission from affected regions.

For more information regarding the Umrah vaccine requirements, refer to the article below:

Can I perform Umrah using a tourist visa?

Normally, yes you can. Everyone visiting Saudi Arabia on a tourist visa may obtain an Umrah permit by applying through the Nusuk app. However, since Pakistan does not qualify to apply for the Saudi e-Visa, travellers from Pakistan, who wish to perform Umrah in the KSA should apply for the visa at the nearest Saudi Arabia Embassy, in their country.

Following the Hajj season, performing Umrah on a tourist visa has offered benefits like extended stays, multiple entries, and flexible hotel choices. However, Saudi Arabia has now revised its visa policy for Pakistani citizens, eliminating the one-year multiple-entry visa. Instead, Pakistani travelers can only obtain a single-entry visa valid for 30 days.

Here are our top picks of hotels in Makkah and Madinah that you can book to ensure suitable accommodation:

Makkah Tower Hotel

© makkah-hnt.com

Set in the heart of the Makkah overlooking the Masjid al Haram, the Makkah Tower Hotel offers a range of excellent rooms and suites set in a prime location. Enjoy a host of premium amenities, including excellent dining and majestic views from the panoramic glass lifts.

Rating: 5*
Distance to Masjid al Haram: less than 1 kilometer/1-minute walk
Price: From PKR 46,455 per night (September price)

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Pullman ZamZam Makkah

© pullman-zamzam-makkah.com

The Pullman ZamZam Makkah hotel is an iconic 5-star hotel that regularly welcomes Umrah and Hajj pilgrims with Hijazi hospitality. The hotel provides pilgrims with partial views over the ever-inspiring Kaaba and the Masjid Al Haram. Amenities include an excellent in-room dining experience featuring international and oriental specialities and facilities for the disabled.

Rating: 5*
Distance to Masjid al Haram: less than 1 kilometer/1-minute walk
Price: From PKR 57,851 per night (September price)

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Conrad Makkah

© hilton.com

Umrah pilgrims will definitely be able to take advantage of the hotel’s close proximity to both the Masjid al Haram and the Kaaba. Conrad Makkah features a fusion of contemporary and traditional Islamic architecture and a range of dining options serving Arabic and international cuisine, a fitness centre, and light-filled meeting spaces.

Rating: 5*
Distance to Masjid al Haram: less than 1 kilometer/3-minute walk
Price: From PKR 54,620 per night (September price)

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Crowne Plaza Madinah

Hotel Exterior

The hotel is in proximity to Masjid al-Nabawi and Holy Rawdah. Pilgrims can walk or take a free shuttle directly to the entrances of the Prophet’s Holy Mosque. The hotel concierge can help with suggestions on restaurants, markets and shopping malls in nearby areas in Madinah.

Rating: 5*
Distance to Prophet’s Holy Mosque: 1.1 kilometer/6-minute walk
Price: starts from PKR 32,340 per night (September price)

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Madinah Hilton

Exterior Hotel With Holy Mosque

© hilton.com

Madinah Hilton is a two-minute walk from the Masjid al-Nabawi and Holy Rawdah. It is located at a 25 minutes distance from the airport and has shops, 2 restaurants and 1 café. The hotel also provides a range of kids’ amenities upon request.

Rating: 5*
Distance to Prophet’s Holy Mosque: 2.5 kilometre/16-minute walk
Price starts from PKR 59,291 per night. (September price)

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Note: Prices are accurate at the time of writing.

Umrah permit

The Nusuk application (available on iPhone, Android, and Huawei) has replaced Eatmarna apps to obtain the Umrah permit.

Nusuk offers all pilgrims and visitors easy to use planning, gateway for their journeys to Makkah and Madinah. This e-platform aims to enhance the experience of Muslims visiting the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from all over the world and facilitate the arrival procedures for visitors to perform Umrah.

Umrah 2025 package in Pakistan

As per the Saudi Arabia Ministry of Hajj, you can find the list of approved Umrah travel agents in Pakistan listed by the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony to apply for your Umrah visa.

Apart from applying for and securing your Umrah visa, an approved travel agent will offer several types of Umrah packages to suit your needs and budget.

A typical Umrah package generally consists of a 7 to 14-day trip through the cities of Makkah and Madinah. For a 7-day package, the itinerary includes a 4-night and 3-night stay in Makkah and Madinah. A 14-day Umrah package typically consists of 8 nights in Makkah and 4 Nights in Madinah.

Additionally, an approved travel agency typically offers individual and group packages. Some packages require sharing a room with fellow pilgrims.

Transportation is also included in a typical Umrah package. Upon arrival at the airport, pilgrims are transported to their hotels and can easily visit the holy sites.

In addition to the packages offered by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, Pakistani pilgrims can also book their Umrah packages from Saudia Airlines.

 

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