Pilgrims planning Umrah during the 1448 AH season face a set of rules that reshape how visas are issued and how trips must be arranged. The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has tied the visa process to confirmed bookings, shortened the entry window, and widened who is allowed to perform the rite.

The changes are now in force for the season, which opened with visa issuance on May 31, 2026. Understanding them ahead of time helps pilgrims avoid cancelled visas and denied permits.

No booking, no visa

The most significant change is that an Umrah visa can no longer be issued until the pilgrim has confirmed hotel and transport bookings logged in the Nusuk platform. The system generates a Booking Reference Number that links directly to the visa application.

In practice, pilgrims must secure a confirmed stay in a Nusuk-approved hotel in Makkah, Madinah, or both, along with pre-booked ground transport that covers airport transfers and inter-city travel. Without these, the visa will not be approved, and no permit is issued on arrival. Most tour operators now bundle accommodation and transport into a single package to satisfy the rule.

Registration on Nusuk is mandatory for every pilgrim, with no country-based exemptions. The platform manages the visa link, the Umrah permit, mosque entry, and Rawdah reservation slots.

Shorter visa validity

The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has cut the entry validity of the Umrah visa from three months to 30 days. According to the rules, the visa now expires 30 days after issuance if the pilgrim does not enter Saudi Arabia within that window, and it is cancelled automatically.

The countdown begins from the issue date, not the flight date. Importantly, the cut applies to entry only. Once a pilgrim arrives in the Kingdom, the permitted stay remains up to 90 days.

This makes timing more sensitive than in previous years. A visa issued on the first of a month must be used to enter by the end of that month, so pilgrims should apply closer to their travel date and confirm flights before the visa is issued.

All visa types now accepted

Alongside the tighter booking and validity rules, Saudi Arabia has widened eligibility. The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah confirmed that holders of all visa types can now perform Umrah, including tourist eVisas, personal and family visit visas, and transit and work visas.

Even so, a valid visa alone is not enough. Pilgrims must still book the Umrah permit through Nusuk before entering the Grand Mosque. Hajj continues to require a dedicated Hajj visa, and Umrah visas do not grant work or residency rights.

Key season deadlines

The 1448 AH calendar sets firm cut-offs tied to the approaching Hajj 2027 window. The final date to issue Umrah visas is March 9, 2027. The last date for pilgrim entry is March 23, 2027, and all Umrah pilgrims must depart the Kingdom by April 7, 2027.

Practical tips for pilgrims

  • Book before you apply: Confirm Nusuk-approved hotel and transport bookings first, then apply for the visa using the Booking Reference Number.
  • Apply close to travel: Do not apply months ahead, or the 30-day entry window may lapse before you fly.
  • Lock in flights first: Fix your travel dates before the visa is issued so the entry window matches your plans.
  • Secure your permit on Nusuk: A visa does not replace the Umrah permit; book it through the app before heading to the Haram.
  • Plan the season's end carefully: If travelling late in the season, enter before March 23 and depart by April 7, 2027 to avoid fines.

Pilgrims are advised to complete every step through official Saudi channels and licensed operators, keeping booking references and permit confirmations on hand throughout the journey.