How to Apply for an Umrah Visa from the UK

Q: How long does an Umrah visa take from the UK?

Most of our UK clients get a decision within 24 to 72 hours once everything is uploaded correctly. We always suggest you apply at least two weeks before flying, because any unclear scan or mismatch can slow things down.

Q: Can I perform Umrah on a Saudi tourist e-visa?

You can perform Umrah on a Saudi tourist e-visa, as long as it is not during the official Hajj days. That visa usually lasts for one year, allows multiple entries, and lets you stay around 90 days per visit, which is more than enough for Umrah and some days in Madinah.

Q: What documents do I need for an Umrah visa from the UK?

You will normally need a passport with at least six months left, a recent passport-style photo on a white background, a meningitis ACWY vaccination certificate, hotel confirmations, and return flights. If you are not a British citizen, add your UK residence card or BRP so the system can see that you live here legally.

Q: Is the Umrah visa fee refundable if my plans change?

In almost all cases, the visa fee is non-refundable once your application is processed. Some travel companies may help you move hotel or flight dates, but the actual visa service cost is usually fixed once submitted, so it is worth double-checking dates before you press pay.

Table Of Content

UK Muslims can apply for an Umrah visa from the UK through the Saudi tourist e-visa portal or via a licensed travel agent. You need a valid UK passport (with at least 6 months remaining), a meningitis ACWY vaccination certificate, a recent passport photo, and confirmed hotel and flight bookings. Processing takes 24 to 72 hours for British passport holders in most cases.

You have made your intention. You have your dates in mind and your heart is ready. But then comes the paperwork, and suddenly you are on your fifth browser tab, reading three different things that contradict each other.

This happens more than you think. At Ziyuf Al Rahman, we speak to brothers and sisters every week who have either applied for the wrong visa type, forgotten a mandatory vaccination certificate, or left everything too late to get a good hotel near the Haram. All of it is avoidable with the right information, and that is exactly what this guide gives information about how to apply for an Umrah visa from the uk.

The Intention Behind the Umrah Journey

Before the documents and the deadlines, there is something far more important: your niyyah (intention). Umrah is a voluntary act of worship and one of the most spiritually powerful journeys a Muslim can make. Allah says in the Quran:

Wa atimmu al-hajja wal-‘umrata lillah

“And complete the Hajj and Umrah for Allah.”
(Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:196)

And the reward for making this journey is immense. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “An Umrah to another Umrah is an expiation for what is between them.” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Book 26, Hadith 1773 and Sahih Muslim, Book 15, Hadith 437)

Everything we walk through below, the visa types and the documents and the fees, is simply the path that takes you to the Haram. Keep your intention firm and the rest becomes much easier.

Who This Guide Is For

We wrote this specifically for Muslims living in the UK, whether you hold a British passport or a UK residency visa. The rules differ between the two, so we address both clearly.

You are most likely one of these:

Planning your first Umrah and feeling unsure where to even start
A returning pilgrim checking whether the 2026 rules have changed
Travelling with family and juggling multiple applications at once
Deciding whether to use a travel agent or go directly through the Saudi portal

Whatever your situation, the steps below give you a clear path to your visa, and eventually, to the Kaaba.

The Three Visa Routes Open to UK Muslims

Here is the part most websites skip over (or explain badly). There is no single “Umrah visa.” Saudi Arabia currently offers three different routes for UK pilgrims, and picking the wrong one can cost you money and time.

Saudi Tourist E-Visa

This is the most popular option for British passport holders in 2026. It allows multiple entries, stays valid for one year, and lets you remain in Saudi Arabia for up to 90 days per visit. You can perform Umrah on this visa throughout the year, outside of Hajj season. The cost sits between £114 and £140 and includes mandatory health insurance.

Dedicated Umrah Visa

Issued through a Ministry of Hajj and Umrah-approved agent, this visa is granted solely for performing Umrah. It is valid for 15 to 30 days and costs between £49 and £250 depending on the agent and what is included in the package. Processing takes 3 to 5 business days.

Electronic Visa Waiver

Available to British passport holders only. It is a single-entry visa, valid for up to 6 months, available online or on arrival. The cost is approximately £105 to £125 (around 480 SAR), with health insurance purchased separately.

One thing you must know: None of these visa types permit Hajj. Hajj requires a completely separate visa, issued only during the Hajj season through officially designated Hajj operators. Attempting Hajj on an Umrah or tourist visa can result in being turned away or deported from Saudi Arabia.

The Documents You Need Before You Apply for Umrah

Getting your documents sorted before you open any application form saves a lot of back-and-forth. Saudi Arabia’s immigration system is strict on completeness, and a single missing item will pause your application immediately.

Here is what to prepare:

Valid UK passport with at least 6 months validity from your intended entry date into Saudi Arabia
Recent passport-size photograph on a plain white background, taken within the last 6 months
Meningitis ACWY vaccination certificate, administered at least 10 days before you travel (mandatory, not optional)
Confirmed hotel bookings in Makkah and Madinah (or wherever you plan to stay)
Return flight booking confirmation showing your travel dates
Valid email address for your e-visa to be issued to
Debit or credit card to pay the visa fee online

If you hold a UK residency visa but not a British passport, you will also need proof of your UK residency alongside all of the above.

The mistake we see most often: The meningitis vaccine certificate must be in English or Arabic. If yours is in another language, get a certified translation done before you submit anything.

How to Apply for an Umrah Visa from the UK: Step by Step

You have your documents ready. Good. Now there is one update from 2026 that catches a lot of people off guard.

Standalone visa-only applications are no longer accepted. From mid-2025, all Umrah applications require a confirmed full package, meaning flights, accommodation, and ground transport must all be attached at the time of application. This came through the official Nusuk platform (nusuk.sa), and it changed the process considerably.

But here is the good news. Once you understand the sequence, the steps are straightforward.

Book your meningitis ACWY vaccination first. The certificate must show the vaccine was given at least 10 days before you enter Saudi Arabia. Boots Travel Health and Nomad Travel Clinics offer it across the UK (and it is cheaper than you might expect, usually around £50 to £65 at a walk-in clinic).
Check your passport has 6 months remaining from your entry date. If you are cutting it close, renew before anything else. HM Passport Office currently takes up to 10 weeks for a standard renewal.
Confirm your full package: flights, Makkah hotel, Madinah hotel, and ground transport. Hotels near the Haram fill quickly, especially during Ramadan and school half terms. Lock in accommodation first and build everything else around it.
Submit via nusuk.sa or through your licensed agent. Upload your passport scan, photo, vaccination certificate, and package confirmation. Pay by card and submit.
Receive your e-visa by email and travel. British passport holders typically get approval within 24 to 72 hours. Print it or save it to your phone, you will need it at check-in and at the Saudi border.

The Rules That Protect Your Trip (And Your Visa)

We frame these as protections rather than restrictions, because knowing them in advance is what keeps your journey on track.

No Umrah during Hajj season (8th to 13th Dhul Hijjah). Only official Hajj permit holders may enter Makkah during this period. Arriving on a tourist or Umrah visa at that time risks being turned away at the border entirely.

Women under 45 must travel as part of a licensed group. Since 2021 Saudi Arabia relaxed some of the original mahram rules, and booking with a licensed operator like Ziyuf Al Rahman is the cleanest and safest way to satisfy this requirement.

Your visa purpose must match your activity. Entering on a work or business visa and then performing Umrah is not permitted.

Health insurance is mandatory. It is built into the tourist e-visa fee automatically. On the visa waiver route, you must purchase it separately before you land.

Overstaying your visa carries real penalties: fines, detention, and a potential re-entry ban. The tourist e-visa permits a maximum of 90 days per visit within its one-year validity.

ZamZam water export rules apply only on the dedicated Umrah visa. If you travel on the tourist e-visa, you cannot take ZamZam water out through official channels. Worth knowing before you pack.

Should You Use an Travel Agent or Go Direct?

If you hold a British passport, you are confident online, and your trip is just one or two adults with a simple itinerary, the Nusuk portal works well. You can manage it yourself and save money on agent fees.

On top of that, some people simply prefer the control. We understand that completely.

But here is the catch. Families travelling together (think grandparents, young children, and siblings all flying from different UK airports) face a coordination challenge that one missed document can derail entirely. We have helped a family of seven from Manchester get their full visa and package sorted in under four days, all travelling during October half term. Getting seven sets of documents right simultaneously, with rooms secured near the Haram, is not something the Nusuk portal does for you.

Ziyuf Al Rahman is ATOL protected, which means your money is financially safeguarded if travel arrangements fall through. For many families, that peace of mind alone is worth it.

Real-World Scenarios We See from UK Muslims

Here are few situations we actually see.

Scenario 1: Solo brother from Stockport

You live in Stockport, fly from Manchester to Jeddah, and just want a 10‑day Umrah in March. You are good with online forms and your passport is fresh. In this case, the tourist e‑visa route works well when tied to a simple package. You can either build the package and apply via Nusuk yourself, or let us wrap visa + hotel + flights in one go so you only deal with one itinerary.

Scenario 2: Young couple with a baby

You are based in Birmingham, travelling with a one‑year‑old, and want to stay close to the Haram with a cot in the room. Your priority is short walking distance, airport assistance, and transfers that handle luggage and a pushchair. Applying direct is possible, but the stress of aligning sleep, check‑in, and transfers can be heavy. This is where a dedicated Umrah package via an agent gives you that “we have done this before” confidence.

Scenario 3: Extended family from different UK cities

Your parents live in London, you are in Manchester, and your sister is in Glasgow. You all want to arrive within a few hours of each other and share a suite near the Haram. Managing three separate bookings and one group visa application by yourself can get messy quickly. A licensed, ATOL‑protected agency such as Ziyuf Al Rahman can hold all the bookings together under one reference and keep everyone aligned on dates and documentation.

In every scenario, you stay in control of your intention and your ibadah, while we look after the admin and timing.

Practical Tips So Your Application Does Not Get Stuck

These are the quiet details that often decide whether your visa is approved quickly or delayed.

Use the exact name format that appears on your passport. No shortened first names, no missing middle names.
Match your hotel booking names to your visa application names. If you booked through Booking.com, make sure guest names match.
Scan documents clearly. Avoid shadows and blurred corners. Rescan if anything looks faint on screen.
Do not buy non‑refundable flights until your vaccine appointment is confirmed. We have seen people rush, then realise their ACWY jab date is too tight.
Avoid peak crunch dates (last 10 nights of Ramadan and UK school holidays) if you want an easier experience at airports and in the Haram.

A small detail missed at home becomes a big problem at the airport.

Common Mistakes UK Pilgrims Make (And How to Avoid Them)

Here is where people trip up most often. If you avoid these, you are already ahead.

Applying before booking a full package. This fails instantly under the 2026 rules, since Nusuk expects flights, hotels, and ground transport.
Leaving the ACWY vaccine too late. Remember the 10‑day minimum before entry. Aim for at least 2–3 weeks buffer.
Using a low‑quality photo. No selfies, filters, or busy backgrounds. Use a proper passport photo on a white background.
Assuming “tourist visa” means total freedom. You still cannot perform Hajj, overstay, or ignore local regulations.
Travelling alone as a younger sister without checking group rules. For women under 45, travel in a recognised group remains the safer, clearer option.

When we work with you, we check these points upfront so there are no last‑minute shocks.

How Ziyuf Al Rahman can help

You can apply yourself, use a local independent agent, or work with a specialist Umrah agency that lives and breathes this work every day.

Ziyuf Al Rahman is a UK‑based Umrah travel agency, ATOL protected and focused only on Umrah and related journeys. That matters, because ATOL protection means if a flight or hotel supplier fails, your money and your trip are protected within UK law.

On our side, we:

Help you choose the right visa route for your situation
Build compliant full packages that match the 2026 Nusuk rules
Check your documents before submission so you do not get stuck on a technicality
Secure hotels that balance proximity to the Haram with realistic budgets
Support you before and during your trip, not just until the payment clears

We have personally walked the streets around the Haram, tested the walking distances from specific hotels, and seen which transfers work smoothly with luggage and older parents. That is the kind of detail you feel when you arrive at 3 am in Makkah and your room is actually ready. If you want us to handle your visa and package, you can reach out through the contact form and we will build a plan that suits your dates, family size, and budget.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How long does an Umrah visa take from the UK? −

Most of our UK clients get a decision within 24 to 72 hours once everything is uploaded correctly. We always suggest you apply at least two weeks before flying, because any unclear scan or mismatch can slow things down.

Can I perform Umrah on a Saudi tourist e visa? +

You can perform Umrah on a Saudi tourist e‑visa, as long as it is not during the official Hajj days. That visa usually lasts for one year, allows multiple entries, and lets you stay around 90 days per visit (which is more than enough for Umrah and some days in Madinah).

I live in the UK but do not have a British passport. Can I still get an Umrah visa? +

Yes, you can still apply. You will need a valid passport from your home country and proof of your UK residence, such as a BRP card or residence permit. Many UK residents in this situation use a licensed agent, because the system sometimes asks for extra checks and documents.

Do children and babies need their own Umrah visa? +

Every child needs a visa, even a baby in your arms. They need a passport, they must be added to your family package, and their details must match your hotel and flight bookings exactly.

What documents do I need for an Umrah visa from the UK? +

You will normally need: a passport with at least six months left, a recent passport‑style photo on a white background, a meningitis ACWY vaccination certificate, hotel confirmations, and return flights. If you are not a British citizen, add your UK residence card or BRP so the system can see that you live here legally.

Is the Umrah visa fee refundable if my plans change? +

In almost all cases, the visa fee is non‑refundable once your application is processed. Some travel companies may help you move hotel or flight dates, but the actual visa service cost is usually fixed once submitted (so it is worth double‑checking dates before you press pay).