The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has issued a clarification on the Kingdom's new multiple-entry Umrah visa, confirming that its year-long validity does not remove the requirement to book an approved service package and obtain a fresh permit for every single visit. The clarification, published on August 18, 2026, follows the launch of the visa in July and answers questions from pilgrims who assumed the longer validity meant fewer steps before each journey.

According to the Ministry, a valid visa alone is not enough to enter the Kingdom for Umrah. Pilgrims must complete a set of procedures through the Nusuk platform before each trip, or they will not be permitted to travel.

What the visa offers

The multiple-entry Umrah visa is valid for 365 days from the date of issue. Over that period, holders may enter Saudi Arabia more than once, with a maximum cumulative stay of 90 days across all visits combined. The Ministry has described the visa as part of the Pilgrim Experience Program under Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to make repeat Umrah travel simpler and reduce the paperwork of applying for a fresh visa before every trip.

The visa is not valid for entry during the Hajj period, which runs from the first of Dhu Al-Qi'dah to the 13th of Dhu Al-Hijjah. Pilgrims planning travel around that window should confirm the Hijri dates before booking flights.

What pilgrims must do before every visit

The Ministry set out the steps clearly. Before each entry, a pilgrim must:

  • Buy a service package from a licensed provider on the Nusuk platform. The package covers accommodation and transport, and its duration must not exceed the remaining stay available on the visa.
  • Obtain an Umrah permit through the Nusuk app before travelling to the Kingdom.
  • Match the permit dates to the dates of the approved service package.
  • Meet all other travel and entry eligibility requirements before boarding.

The Ministry also explained that the visa is temporarily deactivated after each departure from Saudi Arabia. It is reactivated for the next visit only once the pilgrim completes the booking and permit requirements again. In short, the paperwork resets with every trip, even though the visa itself remains valid across the year.

Why the rule matters

Officials said the requirement exists to ensure that accommodation, transport and other services are properly arranged for each visit, rather than left to chance. By tying every entry to a verified Nusuk booking, authorities can track pilgrim numbers, manage crowding at the holy sites and confirm that each visitor has a confirmed place to stay.

The Ministry stressed that the scheme was created to give pilgrims more flexibility in organising visits, but that each trip remains subject to its own service and permit requirements. For pilgrims planning more than one Umrah in a year, this means budgeting for a new package each time and completing the Nusuk process ahead of every departure.

Practical tips for pilgrims

Pilgrims holding or applying for the multiple-entry visa should keep a few points in mind. First, do not book flights before securing the Nusuk service package and permit, since travel is not allowed without them. Second, check the remaining days on the 90-day cumulative stay before each trip, and make sure the chosen package fits within that balance. Third, confirm that the permit dates line up exactly with the package dates to avoid being turned away at the airport.

Finally, plan around the Hajj season blackout period, as the visa cannot be used for entry during those weeks. Pilgrims who are unsure of their status can check the visa's activation state and remaining allowance directly in the Nusuk app before making any arrangements. Careful preparation before each journey will help repeat pilgrims make the most of the visa's year-long flexibility without running into problems at the border.