Saudi Arabia, the birthplace of Islam, is home to the two holiest cities in Islam—Mecca and Medina. Every year, millions of Muslims from around the world visit the Kingdom to perform Umrah, the non-mandatory pilgrimage that can be undertaken at any time of the year (except during Hajj season).
Citizens of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries—Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and the UAE—can travel visa-free to Saudi Arabia. They simply need to present a valid passport or national ID at the Saudi border.
Under the new Saudi visa regulations of 2022, citizens of 68 eligible countries can now apply for a Saudi tourist e-Visa through umrahpalnner. This e-Visa allows them to enter the Kingdom and perform Umrah, except during the Hajj season.
A major change in 2022 is the extension of the Umrah visa validity from 30 days to 90 days. This gives pilgrims more time to comfortably complete their rituals and explore the Kingdom.
To apply for a Saudi Umrah visa, applicants must meet certain eligibility criteria. Below are the key requirements updated under the Saudi visa rules of 2025:
As per the 2022 Saudi visa updates:
Under the new Saudi visa rules (2022), the validity period for Umrah-specific visas has been extended from 30 days to 90 days. This allows pilgrims ample time to comfortably perform all Umrah rituals during their stay in Saudi Arabia.
If you're performing Umrah using a Saudi tourist e-Visa, validity depends on the visa type issued:
Saudi Tourist e-Visas : Typically issued within 24 hours of application submission.
Saudi Umrah Visas (through authorized travel agents) : Generally processed in approximately 5 business days.
Umrah-specific visas cannot be extended under any circumstances.
Travelers must leave Saudi Arabia before their visa expires.
Saudi Arabia offers two main visa options for pilgrims intending to perform Umrah: the Saudi e-Visa and the Saudi Umrah visa. Below are the eligibility criteria and document requirements for each.
To apply online for a Saudi e-Visa (available to citizens of 68 eligible countries), applicants must meet the following criteria:
Passport: Valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry into Saudi Arabia, or must meet reciprocity rules.To apply for a traditional Saudi Umrah Visa, pilgrims must go through an authorized travel agent approved by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj & Umrah. Requirements include:
Application: Complete a visa application form via an authorized Umrah travel agency.All pilgrims must obtain an Umrah permit to access holy sites and perform rituals. Permits can be obtained through:
Important: Visa regulations and health guidelines are subject to change. Always consult your authorized Umrah visa agent for the latest updates before applying or traveling.
Umrah is a pilgrimage to the holy city of Makkah that Muslims can perform at any time of the year. Unlike Hajj, which is obligatory and has specific dates in the Islamic calendar, Umrah is considered a voluntary act of worship and is shorter in duration.
Any adult Muslim who is physically and financially able to make the journey can perform Umrah. There is no specific obligation to perform it, but it is highly recommended and rewarded.
Yes, there is no limit to the number of times a Muslim can perform Umrah. Many people perform it multiple times in their lives, especially if they live close to Saudi Arabia or are visiting for an extended period.
The rituals of Umrah include entering into a state of Ihram, performing Tawaf (circling the Kaaba seven times), Sa’i (walking between the hills of Safa and Marwah seven times), and cutting or shaving the hair for men or trimming a small portion of hair for women.
Ihram is a sacred state a pilgrim must enter before performing Umrah. Men wear two white, unstitched cloths, while women wear modest, loose-fitting clothing. Before entering Ihram, pilgrims perform ablution or a full bath, offer two rak’ahs of prayer, and make the intention (niyyah) for Umrah, followed by the Talbiyah (a special prayer).
The Umrah rituals can typically be completed within a few hours, depending on the crowd. However, pilgrims often stay in Makkah for a few days to perform additional prayers and spiritual activities.
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