Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has introduced a one-year multiple-entry Umrah visa, allowing pilgrims to enter the Kingdom several times over a 12-month period with a cumulative stay of up to 90 days. The Saudi Press Agency reported the announcement, describing it as a step to make repeat pilgrimages easier for Muslims around the world.

The change marks one of the most significant easing of Umrah travel rules in recent years. Until now, most international pilgrims obtained single-use visas tied to a specific trip. Under the new arrangement, a single visa can serve multiple journeys within its validity period.

How the new visa works

The visa is valid for 365 days from the date of issuance. During that year, the holder may enter and leave Saudi Arabia repeatedly, provided the total time spent inside the Kingdom does not exceed 90 days when added together across all visits.

According to the Ministry, the visa is deactivated each time the visitor leaves the country and reactivated for the next visit once the relevant regulatory requirements are met. This allows the system to track the cumulative 90-day balance across separate trips.

For every entry, pilgrims must purchase a service package from an approved provider through Nusuk, the Kingdom's official digital platform for Umrah. The duration of each package must not exceed the number of days remaining on the visa. Pilgrims must also obtain an Umrah permit through the Nusuk app before travelling.

Not valid during the Hajj season

The Ministry confirmed that the multiple-entry visa cannot be used to enter the Kingdom during the annual Hajj season. Anyone intending to perform Hajj must still obtain the dedicated Hajj visa and travel through the approved Hajj channels.

This restriction reflects the crowd-management measures Saudi authorities apply during the days of Hajj, when access to Makkah and the holy sites is limited to those holding valid Hajj permits.

Part of a wider push to welcome pilgrims

The Ministry said the measure aligns with Saudi Vision 2030 and the goals of the Pilgrim Experience Programme, which aim to ease arrival, enrich the spiritual journey and improve the efficiency of services. The Kingdom has steadily expanded Umrah access as demand has grown.

In a related step, Saudi Arabia had earlier opened year-round Umrah access to Gulf citizens and residents. Officials have reported record single-day crowds at the Grand Mosque over the past season, underlining the pressure of rising demand and the need for more flexible travel options.

Umrah is a non-obligatory pilgrimage to Makkah that may be performed at any time of year, unlike Hajj, which falls during fixed days in the Islamic calendar. Though shorter than Hajj, Umrah holds deep spiritual significance for Muslims worldwide.

Practical tips for pilgrims

  • Plan your 90 days carefully. The stay limit is cumulative, so track the total number of days spent in the Kingdom across all visits to avoid overstaying.
  • Book a Nusuk package for every entry. Each trip requires a fresh service package, and the package length cannot run past the visa's expiry date.
  • Secure your Umrah permit in advance. Obtain the permit through the Nusuk app before you travel, as it is required for each visit.
  • Do not rely on this visa for Hajj. It is deactivated during the Hajj season, so a separate Hajj visa is essential for anyone intending to perform the pilgrimage.
  • Keep records of your entry and exit dates. This helps you monitor your remaining balance and stay within the rules.

Pilgrims are advised to confirm the latest requirements on official Saudi platforms before booking, as entry conditions can be updated.