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Book NowKey Takeaways
- Saudi Arabia has changed one key thing: you must now enter the country within 30 days of your Umrah visa being issued.
- The change is to the entry window, not your stay. The old window was 90 days; it is now 30 days.
- Your time inside Saudi Arabia has not been cut. On a tourist eVisa you can still stay up to 90 days.
- If you do not arrive within 30 days, the visa is cancelled automatically and you must reapply.
- Most UK passport holders travel on the tourist eVisa, which allows Umrah outside the Hajj season.
- For 2026, your hotel and transport must be linked through the Nusuk system, and the MenACWY meningitis vaccine is required.
- The simplest way to stay compliant is to book a fully arranged Umrah package so the dates, bookings, and permits line up correctly.
Planning your pilgrimage and seen the headlines about the Umrah visa 30 days change? You are right to check. Saudi Arabia has updated the rules, and a lot of what is shared online gets it wrong. The good news: the change is smaller than the scary headlines suggest, and it is easy to plan around once you understand it. This guide explains exactly what changed, what it means for UK pilgrims, and the simple steps to take before you book.
What actually changed?
Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah shortened the entry window on the Umrah visa. Before, your visa stayed valid for 90 days from the date it was issued, and you could enter any time within those three months. Now, you must enter Saudi Arabia within 30 days of issuance. If you miss that window, the visa cancels itself and you have to apply again.
That is the whole change. It is about when you must arrive, not how long you can stay.
The bit most articles get wrong: 30 days to enter, not 30 days total
This is where confusion spreads. “Umrah visa cut to 30 days” makes it sound like your entire trip is now capped at 30 days. That is not true.
Here is the clear version:
| Before | Now (2026) | |
|---|---|---|
| Time to enter after visa is issued | 90 days | 30 days |
| Time you can stay after you arrive | Up to 90 days | Up to 90 days (unchanged) |
So if your visa is issued on the 1st, you simply need to land in Saudi Arabia by the 30th. Once you are in, your stay is the same as before. For a typical 7 to 14-night Umrah package, this makes no practical difference at all.
Why did Saudi Arabia do this?
The Kingdom issued a record number of Umrah visas in 2025. Shortening the entry window helps spread arrivals more evenly and reduces overcrowding in Makkah and Madinah, especially in the cooler, busier months. In short, it is a crowd-management measure, not a restriction on genuine pilgrims.
Does this affect your visa? The three UK routes
Most UK pilgrims do not use the old-style “Umrah visa” at all. What you use depends on your passport and how you book.
| Route | Who it suits | Stay | Entries | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tourist eVisa | British passport holders | Up to 90 days | Multiple, valid 1 year | Most popular; allows Umrah outside Hajj; applied online |
| Electronic Visa Waiver (EVW) | Eligible UK nationals | Longer single stay | Single | Online; valid for Umrah outside Hajj |
| Agent Umrah visa | UK residents who can’t use the eVisa (e.g. some non-British-passport holders) | Single trip | Single | Arranged by a licensed Saudi-approved agent |
The “30-day entry” rule is most clearly tied to the dedicated Umrah visa. Whichever route you use, the safe and simple approach is the same: travel soon after your visa is issued, and confirm the exact validity printed on your own visa. Do not assume, check the dates on the document you receive.
Not sure which route fits you? Our team checks your passport and circumstances before you pay, so you apply through the right channel the first time. Speak to an Umrah advisor →
What else changed for 2026 pilgrims
The visa window is not the only update. For the current season, UK pilgrims should also know:
- Nusuk is mandatory. Permits for Umrah and for visiting the Rawdah are issued only through the official Nusuk app. No digital permit means no entry to those areas.
- Hotel and transport must be linked at the visa stage. Your accommodation and internal transport now need to be confirmed through the Nusuk/Masar system, often before the visa is approved. Loose, unbooked plans no longer work.
- MenACWY vaccine is required. You need a valid meningitis ACWY vaccination certificate, taken at least 10 days before arrival. This applies to pilgrims aged one and above. The NHS provides this.
- Book with compliant, reputable agents. In early 2026 the Saudi authorities suspended several operators for failing to provide the housing they promised. Keep written confirmation of every hotel and transfer.
Key dates and the Hajj cut-off
Umrah visas are not issued during the Hajj period each year, and there are fixed cut-off dates for entering and leaving before Hajj begins. These dates follow the Islamic lunar calendar, so they shift every year. Overstaying past your permitted date can mean large fines and a future travel ban.
Because these dates move, we do not list fixed ones here, they would quickly be out of date. Always check the current-season dates on Nusuk or with your travel agent before you book flights. If you are travelling close to the Hajj season, ask us to confirm the exact window for your trip.
Typical Umrah costs from the UK
For planning, here is a realistic guide to all-inclusive Umrah package prices from the UK (flights, visa, hotels near the Haram, and transport):
| Package level | Typical from-price (per person) | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| 3 Star | from ~£490 | Comfortable, budget-friendly hotels |
| 4 Star | from ~£665 | Closer hotels, higher comfort |
| 5 Star |
from ~£800 |
Premium hotels, often steps from the Haram |
Prices vary by season (Ramadan and school holidays are highest), departure city, and how far in advance you book. See current Umrah packages and live prices →
How Al Muslim Travel keeps your trip compliant
Booking through a regulated agent removes the risk of getting the new rules wrong. Al Muslim Travel is an ATOL-protected agency (licence #74904), IATA-certified, and approved by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah. We have arranged Umrah for over 15,000 UK pilgrims since 2012, and every booking is handled in-house, your flight, hotel, visa, and Nusuk-linked bookings are issued under our own licence, with no sub-agents.
In plain terms: we make sure your visa, arrival dates, hotels, transport, and permits all line up with the latest rules, so the 30-day window and the Nusuk requirements are simply taken care of.
Ready to plan with peace of mind? Request a free Umrah quote → or message our team on WhatsApp for same-day answers.
FAQ for Umrah Visa
Is the Umrah visa only valid for 30 days now?
No. The 30 days is the time you have to enter Saudi Arabia after the visa is issued. Once you arrive, you can still stay up to 90 days on a tourist eVisa.
How long can I stay in Saudi Arabia on an Umrah visa?
Up to 90 days on a tourist eVisa. The recent change did not shorten your stay, only the window to enter the country.
What happens if I don’t travel within 30 days?
Your visa is cancelled automatically and you will need to apply again. This is why it is best to apply once your travel dates are confirmed.
Do UK passport holders need an Umrah visa?
You need a visa, but most British passport holders use the tourist eVisa, which allows Umrah outside the Hajj season. You do not need a separate Umrah visa in that case.
Can I perform Umrah on a Saudi tourist visa from the UK?
Yes. Since 2019, tourist eVisa holders can perform Umrah outside the Hajj season.
Do I have to use the Nusuk app?
Yes. Permits for Umrah and for visiting the Rawdah are issued only through Nusuk. Your hotel and transport also need to be linked through the official system.
Is a vaccine required for Umrah?
Yes. You need the MenACWY (meningitis ACWY) vaccine at least 10 days before arrival. It is available from the NHS.
Can I book my own hotel and transport separately?
For 2026, hotel and transport generally need to be confirmed through the Nusuk/Masar system, often before your visa is approved. A package that includes these avoids problems.
When does the Umrah season reopen after Hajj?
Umrah visas are not issued during Hajj. The season reopens afterwards each year, but the exact dates follow the lunar calendar — check Nusuk or ask us for current dates.
What is the cheapest time to do Umrah from the UK?
Outside Ramadan and school holidays is usually cheapest. Off-peak months often have the lowest fares and hotel rates.
Is my money protected if I book a package?
With an ATOL-protected agent it is. Al Muslim Travel holds ATOL licence #74904, which you can verify on the CAA website.
How soon before travel should I apply for my visa?
Apply once your dates are set, and plan to travel within the 30-day entry window. Your agent can time the application so it lines up with your flights.
