Umrah pilgrimage is set to resume on Thursday, June 11, 2026, following the annual pause that accompanies the end of the Hajj season. The reopening allows millions of Muslims who could not perform Hajj 2026 to begin planning visits to Makkah and Madinah, as Saudi authorities complete maintenance work across the Two Holy Mosques.
According to the calendar published by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, Umrah visa applications are expected to reopen on June 10, 2026, with the first post-Hajj pilgrim arrivals anticipated from June 11. The new Islamic year, 1 Muharram 1448 AH, falls in mid-June, marking the formal start of the fresh Umrah season.
Why Umrah Pauses After Hajj
Each year, Saudi authorities institute a temporary pause between the close of Hajj and the resumption of Umrah. Hajj 2026 concluded in late May, and the gap of roughly ten to twelve days serves several practical purposes tied to the safety and comfort of pilgrims.
The first is deep cleaning. Thousands of hotels in Makkah, particularly those in the central Markazia district near the Grand Mosque, undergo professional sanitation after hosting large numbers of Hajj pilgrims. The second is infrastructure maintenance. The Mataf, where pilgrims perform Tawaf, and the Mas'a, where Sa'i is performed, receive heavy upkeep to prepare for the new season.
The third reason is a technical reset of the visa and permit systems. The Nusuk platform and the associated Saudi databases transition from issuing Hajj permits back to processing Umrah visas, a changeover that requires the system to be paused and reconfigured.
Key Dates Pilgrims Should Know
The reopening date of June 11 is not necessarily the date most international pilgrims will travel. Visa processing reopens around June 10, and permit issuance through Nusuk typically takes several days. As a result, the earliest realistic travel for many overseas pilgrims falls later in June, once visas are issued and bookings are confirmed.
The wider Umrah season runs well into the following year. The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has confirmed that the final date for issuing Umrah visas for the 1448 AH season is March 9, 2027, with the last date for pilgrim entry set at March 23, 2027, and the final departure deadline at April 7, 2027.
Pilgrims should also note the updated entry rules. Saudi Arabia has reduced the validity of the Umrah entry visa to 30 days from the date of issuance, meaning travellers must enter the Kingdom within that window. Once a pilgrim has arrived, the permitted stay remains up to 90 days.
Planning a Smooth Post-Hajj Umrah
For those hoping to travel soon after the reopening, early preparation is essential. Booking confirmed accommodation and ground transport in advance is now a requirement in many cases, as the Nusuk system links these bookings to the visa application. The properties closest to Masjid al-Haram tend to fill fastest once the post-Hajj period opens.
Pilgrims travelling in the summer months should prepare for extreme heat in Makkah and Madinah, where daytime temperatures can climb well above 40 degrees Celsius. Performing rituals during the cooler early-morning or late-evening hours, staying well hydrated with Zamzam water, and using the air-conditioned areas of the mosque expansions can help reduce the risk of heat exhaustion.
Finally, travellers should keep their vaccination records ready. Proof of meningococcal (ACWY) and polio vaccination is required for the season, and certificates should be obtained well before the planned date of travel. Confirming that Umrah permits are active on the Nusuk app before booking flights remains the safest way to avoid disappointment.