Pilgrims planning Umrah for the 1448 AH season face a set of tighter visa rules built around the Nusuk platform. Under the current regulations, an Umrah entry visa cannot be issued until the pilgrim has confirmed hotel and transport bookings, and the visa now expires 30 days after issuance rather than the previous three months.

The changes reflect Saudi Arabia's continued push to organise Umrah travel through a single official digital system. For pilgrims, they mean that planning must be more complete and more precise before an application is submitted.

Bookings must come before the visa

The most significant change is the order of the process. Pilgrims can no longer secure a visa first and arrange accommodation later. Instead, a confirmed stay in a Nusuk-approved hotel in Makkah, Madinah, or both must be logged in the system before a visa is granted.

Pre-booked ground transport is also required, including airport transfers and inter-city travel. Once these reservations are in place, the system generates a Booking Reference Number that ties directly to the visa application. Without that reference, the application cannot proceed.

The requirement applies through the Nusuk Masar platform, described by authorities as the only government-approved system for Umrah-related services. Nusuk had grown to more than 51 million users worldwide by early 2026, underlining how central it has become to the pilgrimage.

A shorter window to travel

The second major change concerns timing. Umrah entry visas now expire 30 days after issuance if the pilgrim does not enter Saudi Arabia within that window. The previous validity period was around three months.

This shorter window leaves less room for changing travel dates after a visa is issued. Pilgrims are advised to apply only once their travel plans are firm, since a lapsed visa will require a fresh application.

Nusuk registration for all pilgrims

Registration on Nusuk is now mandatory for every Umrah pilgrim, with no country-based exemptions. Even travellers entering Saudi Arabia on a tourist visa must still book and register their Umrah permit through the platform before performing the rituals.

Arrangements differ by country. Indian passport holders, for example, cannot at present apply for an Umrah visa directly through Nusuk and must instead go through a licensed and authorised Umrah travel agency recognised by the Saudi authorities. Pilgrims should check the specific process that applies to their nationality before making firm plans.

Practical tips

To avoid delays or a wasted application, keep the following in mind:

  • Book accommodation and transport first. Secure Nusuk-approved hotels and ground transport before you apply, since the visa depends on a confirmed Booking Reference Number.
  • Apply only when your dates are fixed. With a 30-day validity, an early application can expire before you travel.
  • Register on Nusuk regardless of visa type. Even on a tourist visa, you must book your Umrah permit through the platform.
  • Check your country's route. Some nationalities must apply through licensed agencies rather than directly through Nusuk.
  • Keep your booking references handy. Save the Booking Reference Number and confirmation details in case they are requested during travel.

The tighter rules add steps to the planning process, but they are designed to ensure that every pilgrim arrives with accommodation and transport already arranged.