Saudi Arabia has recorded a sharp rise in the number of pilgrims arriving to perform Umrah at the start of the 1448 AH season, according to figures released by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah. The Kingdom welcomed 931,500 pilgrims on Umrah visas between the 15th of Dhul Hijjah and the end of Muharram, a 22.5 percent increase compared with the same period a year earlier.
The Ministry said the total number of visitors arriving from outside the Kingdom during the period exceeded 1.27 million. The figures point to strong early momentum for a season that authorities hope will move the Kingdom closer to its long-stated goal of hosting many millions of Umrah performers each year under the Vision 2030 reform program.
Where the pilgrims came from
According to the Ministry, Pakistan led all source countries, sending roughly 200,000 pilgrims during the opening weeks of the season. Indonesia followed with around 170,000, and Iraq ranked third with about 130,000. The three countries together accounted for a large share of the early arrivals, reflecting long-standing demand for the lesser pilgrimage across South Asia, Southeast Asia and the wider Muslim world.
The data also showed how pilgrims are reaching the holy cities. The Ministry reported that 75 percent of overseas Umrah pilgrims entered the Kingdom through its airports, while the remaining 25 percent arrived by land and sea ports. The heavy reliance on air travel underlines the role of expanded flight capacity and streamlined arrival procedures in handling growing pilgrim numbers.
A longer, more flexible season
The current Umrah season opened after the conclusion of the 1447 AH Hajj and will continue for several months. The Ministry has set March 9, 2027 as the final date for issuing Umrah visas for the season, corresponding to 1 Shawwal 1448 AH. Pilgrims must enter Saudi Arabia no later than March 23, 2027, and all Umrah performers are required to leave the Kingdom by April 7, 2027.
Officials have linked the rise in arrivals to a series of measures aimed at making the journey easier to plan and complete. These include the unified Nusuk digital platform, through which pilgrims obtain visas, book approved service packages and secure permits to enter the Grand Mosque. The Ministry has repeatedly emphasized that bookings and permits should be arranged through official channels to avoid disruption on arrival.
Part of a broader push
The Ministry framed the numbers as part of the Guest of the Merciful program, a Vision 2030 initiative that seeks to enrich the pilgrim experience while raising the overall number of people able to perform Hajj and Umrah. The program spans everything from digital services and transport to accommodation standards and crowd management inside the two holy mosques.
The strong opening figures arrive alongside other recent changes to the Umrah system, including the introduction of a one-year multiple-entry Umrah visa and tighter oversight of service providers. Taken together, the measures signal a continued effort to combine higher pilgrim volumes with closer regulation of how pilgrims are hosted.
Practical guidance for pilgrims
Pilgrims planning to perform Umrah this season should keep several points in mind. First, arrange visas, accommodation and service packages only through the official Nusuk platform or accredited providers, since bookings made through informal agents may not be recognized. Second, secure any required permits, including permits to enter the Grand Mosque, in advance through the Nusuk app rather than waiting until arrival.
Third, pilgrims should confirm all health requirements before travel, including the meningococcal vaccination that Saudi authorities require for Umrah and Hajj arrivals. Finally, given that the season runs into early 2027, those with flexible schedules may find quieter periods outside peak weeks, allowing for a calmer experience while performing Tawaf and Sa'i. Planning ahead, traveling with valid documentation and following official guidance remain the surest ways to complete the journey smoothly.