Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has introduced a multiple-entry Umrah visa that lets visitors enter the Kingdom several times over a one-year period, with a cumulative stay of up to 90 days. The visa is a notable shift for pilgrims who wish to perform Umrah more than once in a year.

The visa is valid for 365 days from the date of issuance and allows multiple entries, subject to meeting regulatory requirements, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

What the new visa offers

Previously, many pilgrims needed a fresh visa for each Umrah trip. The new visa removes that repetition for eligible travellers, allowing them to plan several visits under a single one-year authorisation.

The key features are straightforward. The visa is valid for 365 days from issuance, allows multiple entries into Saudi Arabia, and offers a maximum cumulative stay of 90 days across the year. The ministry said the change gives pilgrims greater flexibility in planning their visits.

The ministry linked the initiative to Saudi Vision 2030 and the Pilgrim Experience Program, which aim to make arrivals easier, improve the pilgrim experience and enhance service efficiency.

Nusuk permit and service package still required

The flexibility comes with clear conditions. For each visit, the visa holder must purchase a service package from an approved provider through the Nusuk platform. The duration of that package cannot exceed the remaining validity available on the visa.

Visitors must also obtain an Umrah permit through the Nusuk application before arrival. In short, the visa opens the door for repeat visits, but every individual trip still needs its own Nusuk booking and permit.

Visa paused during the Hajj season

There is an important timing restriction. The visa is deactivated after each departure and reactivated once the required conditions are met for the next visit.

Crucially, it is not activated during the Hajj season, from the first of Dhul Qadah until the 13th of Dhul Hijjah. Pilgrims planning trips around that period should account for the pause when scheduling.

Practical tips for pilgrims

  • Treat the visa as a one-year window: plan your entries so your total stay stays within the 90-day cumulative limit.
  • Book a Nusuk service package and secure your Umrah permit before every single trip, not just the first.
  • Make sure each package duration fits inside the visa's remaining validity.
  • Avoid scheduling entries during the Hajj season, when the visa is not active.
  • Keep proof of departures, since the visa reactivates only once conditions are met for the next visit.