Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has introduced a new multiple-entry Umrah visa that allows pilgrims to visit the Kingdom several times over a full year. According to the Saudi Press Agency, the visa is valid for 365 days from the date of issuance and permits a cumulative stay of up to 90 days across the visa's validity.
The change marks one of the most significant shifts in Umrah travel policy in years. Previously, most Umrah visas were tied to a single trip. The new framework is designed to give pilgrims greater flexibility to plan repeat visits, while keeping every stage of the journey inside the Kingdom's unified digital platform, Nusuk.
How the one-year visa works
The visa is valid for 365 days and allows multiple entries into Saudi Arabia. The 90-day allowance is a total pool of time spent inside the Kingdom, not a fresh count that resets with each trip. Pilgrims who use part of their allowance on one visit carry the remaining balance forward to later visits within the same year.
The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah said the visa is automatically deactivated after each departure from Saudi Arabia. It is then reactivated once the traveller meets the regulatory requirements for a subsequent visit. This structure keeps the visa live for a year while still requiring pilgrims to complete the proper steps before each new entry.
A Nusuk service package is required for each visit
Under the new rules, holders must purchase an approved service package through the Nusuk platform for every visit. The package covers accommodation in Makkah or Madinah along with transport between the cities and airports. The duration of each package cannot exceed the number of days remaining on the visa.
Pilgrims must also obtain an Umrah permit through the Nusuk application before arriving in the Kingdom, and the permit dates must line up with the approved service package. For subsequent visits, travellers buy a new package no longer than their remaining balance and issue a fresh Umrah permit for that specific trip.
The ministry said the initiative supports the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030 and the Pilgrim Experience Program, which aim to simplify arrivals, improve the pilgrim experience and strengthen the efficiency of services across the entire journey.
Part of a wider push to grow Umrah
The new visa fits into a broader Saudi strategy to expand religious tourism and position the Kingdom as a year-round destination for pilgrims. Under Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia has set a target of welcoming 30 million Umrah performers annually and is investing heavily in accommodation, transport and digital services to handle rising demand.
Umrah numbers have already been climbing sharply. Authorities reported record months during the past season, and the Nusuk platform has grown to tens of millions of registered users worldwide. By channelling the multiple-entry visa through Nusuk, the ministry keeps bookings, permits and service packages within a single system that it can monitor and manage in real time. For pilgrims who live within travelling distance of the Kingdom, or who wish to combine Umrah with other visits during the year, the flexibility of a 365-day visa is a notable convenience.
The visa pauses during the Hajj season
One important limit applies. The multiple-entry Umrah visa is not activated during the annual Hajj season, which runs from the first day of Dhu al-Qi'dah until the 13th day of Dhu al-Hijjah. This aligns with the Kingdom's long-standing rule that Umrah on a standard visa is suspended in the weeks surrounding Hajj, when Makkah is reserved for Hajj pilgrims.
Pilgrims planning trips near the end of the Islamic year should therefore check the dates carefully, as the visa cannot be used to enter for Umrah during that window even if time remains on the 90-day balance.
Practical tips for pilgrims
Keep the Nusuk application updated and complete each service package and permit before you travel, not after you arrive. Track your remaining days from the 90-day pool so a later trip is not cut short. Make sure your permit dates and package dates match exactly, because mismatched dates are a common reason for delays at entry. Finally, plan any repeat Umrah around the Hajj season blackout so your journey is not interrupted.
Pilgrims should always confirm the latest requirements through the official Nusuk platform and the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah before booking, as visa rules and service conditions can be updated.