Umrah Visa Rule

Stay informed with the latest Umrah visa updates and regulations. Please review the details below carefully before making any travel plans.

Saudi Umrah Visa Validity and Updated Rules 2025!!

The path to Umrah has always been one of devotion and intention. And from November 2025, that path comes with a few new travel rules every pilgrim should understand.

Saudi Arabia has shortened the Umrah visa entry validity from 90 days to 30 days. In simple words, once your visa is issued, you’ll have a month to enter the Kingdom. But once you arrive, your stay can still last up to three months, giving you enough time to complete your pilgrimage and visit Madinah in peace.

At Ziyuf Al Rahman, our role is to make this transition effortless for UK pilgrims. We handle every detail, visa, flights, hotels, ground transfers, so you can focus on your worship, not the logistics.

What Is an Umrah Visa?

An Umrah visa online is a short-term entry permit for Muslims who wish to perform the minor pilgrimage. It’s available year-round and is completely separate from the Hajj visa, which applies only during the annual Hajj season.

The visa allows pilgrims to perform Umrah in Makkah and visit Madinah, but not to work or live in the Kingdom.

Until recently, once the visa was granted, pilgrims had three full months to plan their journey. The new system compresses that flexibility, tightening the entry period while keeping the stay duration the same.

New Umrah Visa Rules 2025

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has confirmed a new structure for all Umrah visas beginning 1 November 2025.

Here’s what every pilgrim needs to know:

  • Visa validity for entry: 30 days from the date of issuance (reduced from 90).
  • Entry requirement: Travellers must enter within those 30 days, or the visa will automatically cancel.
  • Stay duration: Up to 90 days after arrival (unchanged).
  • Implementation goal: Better crowd management in Makkah and Madinah, improved coordination, and a smoother experience for every visitor.

More than four million Umrah visas have already been issued this season, a clear sign of growing demand and the need for precise planning.

Why the Kingdom Made This Adjustment

This is not just a paperwork change. It’s a thoughtful step toward improving the pilgrimage experience.

The shorter entry window helps:

  • Control overcrowding during peak seasons.
  • Coordinate accommodation and transport more efficiently.
  • Track arrivals and departures using digital platforms like Nusuk and Masar.
  • Eliminate unused visas that previously disrupted scheduling.

It’s part of Saudi Vision 2030, the country’s national initiative to modernise religious tourism. The goal is to make every pilgrim’s journey safer, calmer, and more meaningful.

How does the Change Affects You

If you’ve performed Umrah before, you may remember the easy three-month entry window. Now, once your visa is approved, you have 30 days to enter.

Think of it as a countdown clock:

  • Visa issued → Day 1.
  • You must enter → by Day 30.
  • After entry, you can stay up to 90 days.

If you don’t travel within that first month, the visa expires and must be reissued.

For pilgrims booking through Ziyuf Al Rahman, this isn’t a cause for worry. We plan your itinerary so your visa is issued at exactly the right moment, not too early, not too late, aligning it perfectly with your flights and accommodation.

How Ziyuf Al Rahman Handles Your Umrah Visa Online?

We keep the process straightforward and transparent to apply Umrah visa online:

1. Choose Your Package

Select from our carefully designed 3-Star, 4-Star, or 5-Star Umrah packages. Each includes hotel stays near the Haram, ground transfers, and group or private options.

2. Provide Your Documents

Share your passport, passport-size photos, proof of vaccination, and basic information. Our team submits your application through the official Saudi system.

3. Receive Your Visa

Once approved, your visa is issued electronically. That’s when your 30-day entry period begins. We’ll notify you instantly.

4. Travel and Enter the Kingdom

You must enter Saudi Arabia within those 30 days. We’ll confirm your flights, airport pick-ups, and hotel check-ins to keep everything aligned.

5. Perform Umrah and Stay for Up to 90 Days

Once inside the Kingdom, your stay can extend up to three months. That’s plenty of time for worship, reflection, and a serene visit to Madinah before returning home.

Visa Routes for UK Pilgrims

Depending on your situation, there are three main visa pathways for UK citizens to perform Umrah:

1. Dedicated Umrah Visa

Arranged by authorised agents like Ziyuf Al Rahman, this is the traditional route for those travelling solely for pilgrimage.

2. Tourist E-Visa

British nationals can use a tourist visa to perform Umrah outside the Hajj season, provided all bookings comply with Umrah regulations.

3. Electronic Visa Waiver (EVW)

British passport holders may also travel using an EVW for a short Umrah visit that include Umrah. Our consultants can confirm eligibility and handle all details for you.

Each option has its own validity and documentation requirements. We’ll recommend what works best for your travel plans.

How to Check Your Visa Validity

To verify your Umrah visa, visit the official Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs website: visa.mofa.gov.sa.

  1. Choose Visa Validity Check.
  2. Enter your visa number, passport number, and security code.
  3. You’ll see your visa’s issue date, expiry, and stay duration.

It’s a simple way to ensure your travel timing is right, something we also double-check on your behalf.

Why Pilgrims Choose Ziyuf Al Rahman

Because planning Umrah isn’t just about booking flights, it’s about peace of mind.

  • Expert Visa Timing: We issue your visa at the ideal moment to protect your 30-day entry window.
  • Verified Hotels: All accommodation is pre-approved by Saudi authorities for Umrah visitors.
  • Authorised Transport: We book ground transfers via official Nusuk/Masar operators.
  • Dedicated Assistance: Our UK and Saudi teams support you throughout your trip.
  • Flexible Options: From economy to luxury, from group journeys to private family packages.

We follow every policy update from the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah so our pilgrims never face uncertainty.

Tips to Keep Your Visa Valid

  1. Check your passport early. It must be valid for at least six months after entry.
  2. Avoid early applications. Applying too soon could make your visa expire before travel.
  3. Book everything together. Flights, hotels, and transport should be linked; it speeds up approval.
  4. Keep your health papers ready. Saudi Arabia may update vaccination rules periodically.
  5. Plan your exit date. Staying beyond 90 days can lead to fines or travel bans.

Snapshot of the New Umrah Visa Rules

AspectBeforeNow (Nov 2025)
Entry validity90 days from issuance30 days from issuance.
Entry deadlineWithin 90 daysWithin 30 days.
Stay after arrival3 months3 months (unchanged).
Visa cancellationAfter 90 daysAfter 30 days, if no entry.
PurposeFlexible travel windowBetter crowd management & coordination.

Final Guidance for Pilgrims!

These new visa timings are not restrictions; they’re refinements, small adjustments that make large gatherings more manageable and safe.

For you, the takeaway is simple: Apply carefully, travel promptly, and let experts handle the details.

At Ziyuf Al Rahman, we time every step so you don’t have to count days. From your visa approval to the last prayer in Madinah, your journey stays within the rules and within peace.

Our team in the UK is ready to assist with visa applications, flights, and all-inclusive Umrah packages for individuals, families, and groups.

Your intention is pure. Let the process be simple.

References

https://www.khaleejtimes.com/world/gulf/umrah-changes-visa-rules-2025

https://gulfnews.com/living-in-uae/ask-us/saudi-arabia-umrah-2025-5-key-rules-uae-residents-must-know-1.500297516

https://gulfnews.com/world/gulf/saudi/all-visa-types-now-eligible-for-umrah-says-saudi-hajj-ministry-1.500295739

https://www.khaleejtimes.com/world/gulf/saudi-arabia-umrah-visa-changes-november-2025

https://gulfnews.com/world/gulf/saudi/saudi-arabia-announces-new-amendments-to-umrah-visa-rules-1.500328262

https://soulofsaudi.com/one-month-validity-for-umrah-visa/

https://unb.com.bd/category/World/saudi-arabia-set-to-shorten-umrah-visa-validity/171937