Saudi Arabia has revolutionized the Umrah experience by introducing a new visa that allows multiple entries for one year.
The move advances the Kingdom’s Pilgrim Experience Program, a transformative strategy under Vision 2030 that aims to host 30 million Umrah pilgrims annually by streamlining travel and hospitality services.
A Revolutionary Visa
The Big Picture: The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has introduced a multiple-entry Umrah visa. Valid for one year, the new visa allows pilgrims to spend a cumulative total of up to 90 days inside the Kingdom.
The Context: According to the Ministry, the new Umrah visa aims to facilitate the Umrah journey and provide more flexible options for planning and performing Umrah.
Offering a Smooth Umrah Experience
What You Need to Know: The Ministry clarified that the permitted stay is calculated cumulatively up to a total of 90 days, based on the actual time spent in the Kingdom during each trip. This allows pilgrims to take full advantage of the visa for multiple entries throughout its validity, subject to approved regulatory controls.
How It Works: Pilgrims can get their multiple-entry visa through a streamlined digital process. According to the Hajj and Umrah Ministry, every single visit requires a service package purchased through an approved provider on the Nusuk platform, and the package duration cannot exceed the remaining days on the pilgrim’s 90-day cumulative balance.
When visiting for the first time, pilgrims should follow these steps:
- Purchase a service package from an approved provider directly on the Nusuk platform.
- Submit the Umrah visa application through the official channels for processing by the relevant authorities.
- Issue the official Umrah permit via the Nusuk app prior to arrival, ensuring the permit date aligns perfectly with the approved package dates.
- Meet all travel eligibility and entry requirements before boarding the flight.
- Upon arrival, entry data is officially recorded. The pilgrim’s remaining allowed days of stay will automatically update in the system upon their departure.
For other trips during the one-year validity, pilgrims should follow these steps:
- Purchase a new, dedicated service package from an authorized provider on the Nusuk platform.
- Issue a new Umrah permit via the Nusuk app for the new dates.
- Complete standard travel eligibility and entry requirement verifications before flying.
- Border control logs the pilgrim’s entry and exit data during the trip, continuously updating the remaining balance of their 90-day allowed stay.
Visa Restrictions
The Ministry noted that the visa status is deactivated after each departure from the Kingdom, and will be reactivated for the subsequent visit once all regulatory requirements are met.
Furthermore, the visa cannot be activated for entry during the Hajj season, starting from the 1st of Dhu al-Qi’dah until the 13th of Dhu al-Hijjah.
Economic Impact
The advantages of the new Umrah visa go beyond the spiritual aspect, giving a major boost to Saudi Arabia’s economic diversification efforts under Vision 2030.
Between the Lines: With the new Umrah visa, pilgrims can travel between Makkah, Madinah, and various Saudi cities, exploring the authentic cultural heritage and rich tourism diversity, as well as seasonal festivals across the Kingdom’s regions.
Why It Matters: Under the transformative Vision 2030, the Kingdom targets 150 million visitors by 2030, in line with its plan to cement its status as a global tourism and aviation hub. The increased travel from and to Saudi Arabia aligns with the steady expansion of the Kingdom’s national airlines, including Saudia and Riyadh Air.
By the Numbers:
The Saudi Tourism Ministry’s data for the first quarter of 2026, which coincided with the peak of Umrah season, showed a surge in occupancy rates:
- 59%: Occupancy rate in accommodation facilities.
- 82%: Madinah (highest occupancy).
- 60%: Makkah (second).
- 59%: Jeddah (third).
Meanwhile, the Hajj and Umrah Ministry’s data showed a rise in Umrah pilgrim arrivals at the start of the new season, between Dhu Al-Hijjah 15 and the end of Muharram 1448 AH:
- +1.27 million: Total international arrivals during the tracking period.
- 931,500: Number of Umrah visa arrivals.
- 200,000: Pilgrims from Pakistan, the top sending country.
- 170,000: Pilgrims from Indonesia, the second-highest sender.
- 130,000: Pilgrims from Iraq, the third-highest sender.
- 75%: Share of international pilgrims arriving by air.
- 25%: Share of international pilgrims arriving via land and sea ports.
- 5%: Growth rate of Umrah visa arrivals compared to the previous season.
The Bottom Line: By introducing the flexible multiple-entry Umrah visa, Saudi Arabia is facilitating access for global pilgrims, accelerating its Vision 2030 objectives to attract more visitors, boost tourism, and diversify the national economy.
