Umrah visa rules and regulations that one must know

Umrah is known as the lesser pilgrimage and is one of the most beloved Sunnah of our Holy Prophet (PBUH). It revives the heart of the Muslims and replenishes their faith in the divine power of the Allah Almighty. Every year millions of pilgrims travel towards the holy city of Makkah to perform Umrah. Millions of Saudi Umrah visas are issued every year and the ever-growing number of pilgrims is managed and accommodated by the Saudi government. To manage the pilgrimage of Umrah every year on such a huge scale requires a set of some non-negotiable rules and regulations.

As of late 2025 and moving into 2026, Saudi Arabia’s revised Umrah visa rules significantly tighten control to ensure safety and manage the crowd density, with the stay duration reduced to 30 days. The key regulations necessitate mandatory pre booked packages including registered hotels and transportation via the Nusuk platform in order to prevent the unauthorized stays and ensure organized, efficient and secure pilgrimage.

Why Umrah visa rules are important?

There are many reasons due to which it has been made mandatory for the pilgrims to follow the Umrah visa rules and regulations. Some of these reasons are mentioned in the guide below.

• Previously, many Umrah travelers applied for Umrah through unregistered travel agents.
• The hotel specified in the package was not provided most of the time. 
• Many times, Umrah travelers were left stranded at the airports for hours despite the inclusion of ground transport in the package.
• These rules are essential in order to make sure that pilgrims do not have to face scams and are prevented from fraudulent activities.
• It protects Umrah travelers from the money loss and strengthens their trust in the travel market.

The new Umrah visa rules

There are several Umrah visa rules that have been introduced in the latest Umrah visa policy and some of these rules ae mentioned in the guide below.

• The duration of Umrah visa has been reduced to 30 days. Previously the pilgrims could enter Saudi Arabia within 90 days from the date of visa issuance, but now it is mandatory for them to perform Umrah and return to their home country within 30 days of receiving the visa. 
• The validity of the Umrah visa has been shortened to 30 days. Umrah visas will be automatically cancelled after 30 days and the pilgrims cannot travel after 30 days or stay in Saudi Arabia once the Umrah visa expires.
• It is now mandatory for the Umrah pilgrims to book Umrah packages with the confirmed hotel bookings, transport arrangements and compliance with the visa rules through the official pilgrimage platform called Nusuk.
• Pilgrims are required to book the registered hotels first to apply for the Umrah visa. You can either book the accommodation separately or via booking the 5-star Umrah packages by trusted agency like Islamic travel.

How these changes impact the pilgrims?

If you are planning Umrah, you need to understand the change completely. Now, pilgrims have to plan Umrah according to the new Umrah rules. 

• Pilgrims have to travel within 30 days of the Umrah via issuance to ensure a seamless Umrah. If, for any reason, your exit or entry is delayed, you have to reapply for the Umrah visa.
• It is also important to understand that compliance is a must. Confirm it with your agent that your Umrah package contains the registered hotels. Without providing the details of hotels and the route, the visa may be delayed or rejected.
• Since Saudi Arabia has allowed Umrah on different visa types, Umrah pilgrims should consider their needs before applying for a visa.
• It is also important to note that the pilgrims must stay in Saudi Arabia within the visa limit and should exit before the time limit. Overstaying can lead to heavy penalties and an entry ban on Saudi Arabia for the future.
• It is recommended that the pilgrims don’t leave things for the last minute and it is better to plan Umrah early and book an Umrah package as early as possible. 

Tips to pick the best Umrah package under the new rules

Choosing the right Umrah package is quite crucial, some of the features and factors that one must consider before booking an Umrah package are mentioned in the guide below. 

1. Clear timeline and arrival

Before finalizing your Umrah package, make sure that it clearly mentions the complete timeline, including when the visa will be applied for, the date of issuance and the arrival date in Saudi Arabia. The new 30-day validity window means that pilgrims should plan to perform Umrah as soon as they receive the visa. You must ask your travel agent for the exact dates and confirm that your arrival and return both fall within the allowed period.

2. Confirmed hotel and transport booking

According to the new Umrah rules, it is now mandatory to book registered hotels and transport for the Umrah visa. Ensure that your package is made according to the new rules.

3. Location and Quality of Accommodation

Now that the time window is limited, it is important to check what hotels are provided in your Umrah package. A hotel closer to the Haramain will allow you to spend more time in prayers and less in commuting. The package should specify the star category, room, type, and proximity to the holy sites. 

Conclusion

These steps for the Umrah process are necessary to follow for the Umrah visa approval. Saudi Arabia made changes to the transport system because of the large influx of pilgrims coming from various parts of the world. The millions of people in one place at the same time can create chaos. To make every travel organized and smooth, it is now mandatory to add registered hotels and licensed transport in the package. When everything is pre-arranged and every movement is monitored, there is no confusion and unnecessary waiting. 

Planning early is the key to successful pilgrimage. Make copies of all your bookings and keep them with you during travel.