Saudi Arabia recorded one of the busiest starts to an Umrah year on record, with more than 15 million pilgrims visiting Makkah and Madinah in the first three months of 2026. Official statistics put the exact figure at 15,233,767 Umrah performers between January 1 and March 31, reflecting the sustained global demand for the lesser pilgrimage.
The surge was driven by both domestic and international travellers. Around 9.5 million pilgrims came from within the Kingdom, while roughly 5.77 million arrived from abroad, according to the data. The scale of the movement placed heavy demand on airports, border crossings, transport networks and hospitality services across the two holy cities.
How pilgrims arrived
Air travel remained the dominant gateway for international pilgrims. About 86 per cent of overseas Umrah performers, close to 4.96 million people, entered Saudi Arabia through airports during the quarter. The figures underline how central the Kingdom's aviation network has become to religious tourism, connecting worshippers from Asia, Africa and Europe with Makkah and Madinah.
Land crossings carried a smaller but significant share, with about 13.6 per cent of international pilgrims, roughly 784,000 travellers, arriving by road. Sea routes accounted for around 23,000 pilgrims, or 0.4 per cent of overseas arrivals. Among all Umrah performers, men represented about 56.4 per cent and women about 40.6 per cent of the total.
Key dates for the current season
The strong quarter came as Saudi Arabia continues to manage the 1448 AH Umrah season through a clearly defined calendar. According to the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, the season opened with the issuance of Umrah visas and pilgrim entry from May 31, 2026, followed by access to Makkah and Umrah permits through the Nusuk application from June 1.
For the remainder of the season, the ministry has set the final date for issuing Umrah visas as March 9, 2027. The last date for pilgrims to enter the Kingdom is March 23, 2027, and the final departure deadline is April 7, 2027. Under current rules, hotel and transport bookings must be made through Nusuk, and Umrah can be performed on a range of visa types rather than a dedicated Umrah visa alone.
The record numbers reflect the strength of Saudi Arabia's pilgrimage infrastructure and its ambition under Vision 2030 to expand capacity for worshippers year after year.
Planning your Umrah
Pilgrims planning an Umrah this season should book well ahead, since demand is high and the busiest periods place real pressure on flights and accommodation. Travellers should complete hotel and transport reservations through the Nusuk platform as required, and confirm that their chosen visa type permits Umrah before departure. Those travelling before the season closes should note the March 23, 2027 entry deadline and the April 7 departure deadline, and allow enough time to complete their rites without rushing. Booking flights early, especially for arrival by air, remains the most reliable way to secure a smooth journey.