Germany-based Muslims can apply for a Saudi umrah visa online through Nusuk — the official Saudi platform. Services like Wego’s umrah eVisa can also handle the application.
Below: who qualifies, what documents you need, current fees, and what to expect on arrival in Jeddah or Madinah.
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Visa Types for Umrah
Saudi Arabia accepts three official routes for performing umrah from Germany. Your choice depends on stay length, travel pattern, and how you enter the country.
Nusuk Umrah e-Visa
The dedicated umrah e-visa is single-entry, valid for 30 days from issuance for entry, and permits a stay of up to 90 days from entry. German citizens and eligible residents apply directly at nusuk.sa.
Since 2026, every application must be tied to a Nusuk-verified hotel and transport booking. The visa is delivered by email, typically within three to seven working days of submission.
Saudi e-Tourist Visa
Germany is on the eligible list for the Saudi e-Tourist visa — a one-year, multi-entry visa with 90-day stays per visit. Since 2019, it also covers umrah outside Hajj season.
This is the most flexible option for repeat pilgrims or those combining umrah with general tourism. Holders cannot enter Makkah during Hajj season without a Hajj permit.
96-Hour Transit Visa
Travellers transiting Saudi Arabia via Saudia or flynas can request a free 96-hour transit visa. It’s issued at the time of flight booking on the airline’s website.
The transit visa permits umrah during the stopover, which makes it useful for pilgrims with onward travel to Asia or Africa. Stay is capped at 96 hours from arrival.
Eligibility and Documents
The umrah visa is open to practising Muslims only. Both German citizens and Muslim residents in Germany on a valid residence permit can apply.
Who Can Apply
Eligibility extends to German citizens with passports valid for at least six months, and to non-citizen Muslim residents holding a valid German residence permit.
Women aged 18 and above can apply without a mahram if travelling as part of an organised group. Minors under 18 must be included on a parent or guardian’s application.
Documents Checklist
The following documents are required regardless of which route you use:
- Passport with at least six months’ validity and two blank pages
- Recent passport-sized photograph with a white background
- Proof of German residence (for non-citizen applicants)
- Valid meningococcal ACWY vaccination certificate issued at least 10 days before travel
- Confirmed return ticket
- Nusuk-verified hotel and transport booking — a new requirement introduced in 2026
- Biometric enrollment via the Saudi Visa Bio app, where required
The biometric step replaces visiting a visa centre and is completed in about 10 minutes. If you’re unsure about eligibility, check Wego’s guide on common umrah visa rejection reasons.
How to Apply
There are three practical routes. The online process via Nusuk is the most direct for independent pilgrims.
Online via Nusuk
This is the standard route for most German applicants. The full application is completed online without visiting a visa centre.
- Create an account at nusuk.sa or via visa.visitsaudi.com
- Enter passport, residence, and travel details exactly as on your passport
- Upload photograph, vaccination certificate, and Nusuk-verified hotel and transport bookings
- Complete biometric enrollment via the Saudi Visa Bio app if prompted
- Pay the visa fee and mandatory health insurance
- Receive the e-visa by email within three to seven working days
Travellers can also use platforms like Wego’s umrah eVisa for guided application support. After the visa is issued, register on the Nusuk app to book your permits.
Through a Licensed Operator
Licensed Saudi-approved umrah operators in Germany handle the visa as part of a bundled package — flights, Makkah hotels, Madinah hotels, and ground transport included.
This route is common among first-time pilgrims who want logistics handled end-to-end. The operator arranges the Nusuk-verified bookings the visa requires and submits the application on your behalf.
Via the e-Tourist Visa
To travel on the multi-entry e-Tourist visa, apply directly at visa.visitsaudi.com. Nusuk-verified bookings aren’t required at the visa stage for this route.
Once in Saudi Arabia, you still need to register on the Nusuk app to book your umrah permit and Haramain entry slot. Remember the Hajj-season restriction before booking your travel dates.
Fees and Validity
The umrah e-visa fee is set by the Saudi government and is identical across nationalities. Costs are quoted in Saudi riyals and converted to euros at payment.
- Government visa fee: SAR 300 (around EUR 75)
- Mandatory health insurance: SAR 100–180 (around EUR 25–45), bundled with the visa
- Total approximate cost: SAR 400–480 (EUR 100–120)
The umrah e-visa is valid for 30 days from issuance for entry and permits a stay of up to 90 days from entry. It’s single-entry — once you leave Saudi Arabia, the visa expires.
The e-Tourist visa costs around SAR 535 (EUR 135) including insurance and remains valid for one year with multiple entries. Licensed operator packages add service fees on top. See Wego’s guide on umrah visa validity for more detail.
After You Arrive
Most German pilgrims fly into Jeddah or Madinah — the two closest airports to the holy cities. Riyadh is also accepted for umrah visa holders.
Common carriers from Germany include Saudia, Lufthansa, Turkish Airlines, and flynas. Direct flights operate from Frankfurt, Munich, and Düsseldorf.
At Immigration
Have your printed e-visa, passport, vaccination certificate, and accommodation confirmation ready. Vaccination is checked at the border.
Saudi authorities may also verify your Nusuk-linked hotel and transport bookings. Some pilgrims complete Muqeem arrival registration on landing.
Permits via the Nusuk App
Install the Nusuk app to book time-slotted umrah permits. These are required to enter Masjid al-Haram and perform tawaf and sa’i.
The app also handles Rawdah visit slots at the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah, plus visits to other holy sites. Permits are free but limited, so book them as soon as you arrive.
What’s Allowed and What Isn’t
The umrah visa lets you move around the country, but it doesn’t unlock everything. Understand the limits before you plan side trips or longer stays.
- Umrah visa holders can travel to other Saudi cities including Riyadh, AlUla, and the Red Sea coast
- You cannot work or take up paid employment
- Hajj cannot be performed on an umrah visa — it requires a separate permit through your country’s official Hajj quota
- The umrah visa cannot be extended; depart before it expires
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I perform umrah on a Saudi tourist visa from Germany?
Yes. Since 2019, the Saudi e-Tourist visa allows holders to perform umrah at any time except during Hajj season. German nationals are eligible and can apply at visa.visitsaudi.com.
How long does the Nusuk umrah e-visa take to process?
Processing typically takes three to seven working days. Apply at least three to four weeks before your travel date, and longer during peak Ramadan and post-Hajj demand periods.
Do non-citizen residents of Germany follow a different process?
No, the route is the same via Nusuk. Non-citizen residents just provide a valid German residence permit alongside their home-country passport when uploading documents.
Can women travel for umrah from Germany without a mahram?
Yes. Women aged 18 and above can apply without a male guardian, provided they travel as part of an organised group. This rule has been in place since 2022.
Can the umrah visa be extended once I’m in Saudi Arabia?
No. The umrah e-visa cannot be extended. Leave before the 90-day stay window ends. For longer travel, consider the e-Tourist visa with its one-year multi-entry validity.
Sources
- Nusuk — Official Saudi Umrah Platform
- Saudi e-Visa Official Portal
- Saudi Tourism Authority — Visa Regulations
- Saudia — Tourist Visa and Umrah
- Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah
- Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- German Federal Foreign Office — Saudi Arabia 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.
