Umrah Season 1448 Reopens as Saudi Arabia Resumes Visa Issuance
Saudi Arabia has reopened the Umrah season for 1448 AH, resuming visa issuance on May 31 and pilgrim entry to Makkah from June 1, 2026, under a fixed operational calendar.
Latest updates from top global and Saudi news sources
Last updated: 23 Sep 2026, 10:20 AM (Saudi time)
Saudi Arabia has reopened the Umrah season for 1448 AH, resuming visa issuance on May 31 and pilgrim entry to Makkah from June 1, 2026, under a fixed operational calendar.
The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has approved 73 companies qualified to serve domestic pilgrims, urging worshippers to contract only through official channels.
Saudi Arabia will require Hajj affairs office personnel to complete a compulsory training programme before receiving visas, part of reforms unveiled for the 2027 season.
Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Health has urged Hajj pilgrims to avoid sharing razors during tahallul, warning that shared blades can spread hepatitis and other bloodborne infections.
The first phase of Rua Al Madinah, a major development beside the Prophet's Mosque, is scheduled to open in 2026, part of a project that will add 47,000 hotel rooms by 2030.
Pakistan has opened free mandatory registration for Hajj 2027 and is in talks with Saudi Arabia to raise its pilgrim quota from 179,210 toward around 230,000.
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Heavy rain and thunderstorms hit Mecca creating dramatic scenes as worshippers prayed at the Grand Mosque.