Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has reshaped the rules governing pilgrimage for the 1448 AH season, tightening the link between visas, confirmed bookings and the Nusuk platform. The changes are now in force for pilgrims travelling during the current Umrah season, which opened for visa issuance on 31 May 2026.
According to the ministry and multiple travel advisories tracking the updates, the reforms shorten how long an Umrah visa stays valid before entry, make hotel and transport bookings a precondition for a visa, and confirm that holders of all visa types may now perform Umrah outside the Hajj season.
Entry visa now valid for 30 days
The most consequential change concerns timing. An Umrah entry visa is now valid for 30 days from the date it is issued, down from the previous three-month window. If the pilgrim does not enter Saudi Arabia within that period, the visa is cancelled automatically.
It is important to understand what the cut does and does not affect. The 30-day limit applies to entry, not to the length of stay. Once a pilgrim arrives in the Kingdom, the permitted stay remains up to 90 days. The countdown also starts from the issue date, not the flight date, so applying too far in advance risks the visa lapsing before departure.
No confirmed booking, no visa
Under the new framework, a visa cannot be issued until the applicant has confirmed hotel and transport bookings logged in the Nusuk system. The platform generates a booking reference number that is tied directly to the visa application.
In practice, applicants now need a confirmed stay in a Nusuk-approved hotel in Makkah, Madinah or both, pre-booked ground transport including airport transfers and intercity travel, and the booking reference number linked to those reservations before approval. Without them, no visa is granted and no permit is issued on arrival. Most operators bundle accommodation and transport into a single package to satisfy the requirement.
All visa types now accepted
Saudi authorities have also widened eligibility. The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has confirmed that holders of all visa types, including tourist eVisas, personal and family visit visas, transit visas and work visas, may perform Umrah outside the Hajj season.
Registration on Nusuk is mandatory for every pilgrim, with no country-based exemptions. Even with a valid visa, pilgrims must still obtain their Umrah permit, and permits for praying at the Rawdah in the Prophet's Mosque, through the Nusuk application. Hajj continues to require a dedicated Hajj visa, and Umrah visas do not permit work or residency.
Key dates for the 1448 AH season
The ministry has published firm cut-offs for the season. Visa issuance began on 31 May 2026, and entry to Makkah with permit issuance began on 1 June 2026. The final day to issue Umrah visas is 9 March 2027, the last date for pilgrim entry is 23 March 2027, and all pilgrims must depart the Kingdom by 7 April 2027.
Officials have urged Umrah companies and overseas agents to follow the approved timetable strictly. Separately, the Ministry of Interior has warned that those who overstay their permitted period face heavy penalties, and Hajj and Umrah firms that fail to report overstayers can be fined.
Practical tips for pilgrims
Apply closer to your travel date rather than months ahead, so the 30-day entry window does not expire before you fly. Lock in confirmed flight dates before the visa is issued, and note the issue date carefully: a visa issued on 1 March must be used to enter by 30 March. Complete your Nusuk hotel and transport bookings first, keep your booking reference number handy, and if you are travelling late in the season, plan to enter before 23 March 2027 and leave by 7 April 2027 to avoid fines that can affect future applications.