The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has published a comprehensive digital "Umrah and Visit Guide" on its official website, haj.gov.sa, offering pilgrims step-by-step instructions in sixteen languages including Arabic, Urdu and English. The guide arrives as the 1448 AH Umrah season gathers pace, with the ministry reporting a sharp rise in arrivals since the season opened.
According to the ministry, the guide is designed to help pilgrims prepare for their journey, perform the rituals of Umrah, and visit sites across the Kingdom "at ease and with tranquility." It is structured around a timeline that follows the pilgrim from before departure through to the return home.
What the guide covers
The Umrah and Visit Guide walks pilgrims through every stage of the journey. It begins with pre-travel preparation, visa procedures and entry requirements to the Kingdom, then moves through entering the state of ihram and performing the rituals themselves.
The ministry says the guide provides detailed instructions on movement between the holy sites, along with guidance for visiting Masjid an-Nabawi, the Prophet's Mosque in Madinah. It also includes directions related to departure at the end of the trip.
Content addresses practical and devotional matters together. According to the ministry, the guide covers timings, ihram etiquette, tawaf (circumambulation) and sa'i (walking between Safa and Marwah), prayer in the Two Holy Mosques, and the manners of visiting. It adds regulatory instructions, health and preventive guidelines, emergency contact numbers, and links to the digital services a pilgrim needs during the trip.
Interactive maps and digital links
A key feature of the guide is its interactive design. The ministry says it includes interactive maps, visual and guidance content, and direct links to digital platforms and services. QR codes embedded in the guide connect pilgrims to official platforms so they can reach updated information quickly.
The ministry describes the guide as one of its "awareness products" that is "constantly developing." The stated aim is to raise awareness, strengthen commitment to regulatory procedures, and enable pilgrims to perform their rituals easily. The guide emphasises performing Umrah according to the authentic Prophetic tradition (Sunnah).
The launch reflects a wider push by Saudi authorities to move pilgrim services onto digital channels. Booking permits, hotels and transport for Umrah is now handled through the official Nusuk platform, and the new guide is intended to sit alongside those tools as a single reference point.
Why the timing matters
The guide has been released early in the 1448 AH Umrah season, giving pilgrims planning trips in the months ahead time to study it before they travel. The ministry has said the release reflects the Kingdom's continuing effort to improve the quality of services provided to pilgrims and visitors.
For pilgrims who do not read Arabic, the availability of the guide in sixteen languages removes a long-standing barrier. Clear guidance in a pilgrim's own language reduces confusion at crowded moments and helps ensure rituals are performed correctly.
Practical tips for pilgrims
Pilgrims are advised to download and read the Umrah and Visit Guide from haj.gov.sa before travelling, choosing their preferred language from the sixteen available. Reviewing the sections on ihram and the rituals in advance can prevent common mistakes on the ground.
It is wise to save the emergency contact numbers listed in the guide and to keep the QR code links accessible on a mobile device. Because the guide is updated over time, pilgrims should check for the latest version close to their departure date. Combining the guide with a valid Nusuk permit and confirmed bookings will help make the journey smoother from arrival to departure.