Getting a valid visa is a fundamental part of your Umrah travel. Without it, no foreign pilgrim can enter KSA let alone performing the holy rituals in Haram. GCC nationals, however, don’t require a specific Umrah visa if they want to opt for the minor pilgrimage. Their existing visa/PR of the Kingdom or GCC countries is enough.
When you buy Cheap Umrah Packages Umrah visas are generally the part of the services offered. Even if you are opting for the holy rituals by yourself, you need to get an Umrah permit.
Note that pilgrims applying for a specific ‘Umrah visa’ need to go through the channel of an authorized travel agency. In other words, only Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah’s approved travel agents can apply for Umrah visas on behalf of pilgrims. KSA doesn’t entertain individual visa applications submitted by pilgrims directly.
However, if you want to travel for the holy rituals yourself, you can get an Umrah permit on your existing visa to KSA. Such as visit visa, work visa or family visa. There’s no need for an authorized travel agency in this regard.
Here’s what you need to know about extending your Umrah visa while in KSA.
Umrah Visa
Umrah visa is specific for the purpose of holy rituals. Any pilgrim arriving in Saudia Arabia on an Umrah visa cannot travel, stay or work in the region other than specified on the visa. Therefore, pilgrims on Umrah visa come to Makkah, offer holy rituals and can do Ziyarath in Madinah and Jeddah as well. Travel to any other part of KSA is prohibited.
These visas usually have a validity of 30 days. However, the Saudi Vison 2030 plan introduced recently has extended the validity of Umrah visa up to 90 days.
During your trip to KSA on Umrah visa with 3 Star Ramadan Umrah Packages you can perform multiple Umrah. There’s no restriction in this regard. However, once in KSA, you can neither overstay your visa nor apply for an extension.
If you want an extended stay period in KSA, you need to get approval for it before departure. For Example, if you need to travel further or tour the region after Umrah rituals, you should get a specific visa/permission for it beforehand.
Once you arrive in Saudia Arabia on an Umrah visa, you have to perform the holy rituals and return in time. No extension of visa while in KSA is permissible.
Umrah Permit
If you are arriving in KSA for touring, work or family visit purposes; performing Umrah is now permissible. That means, you can get an Umrah permit through Nusuk app and enter Haram for holy rituals on the existing visa. No need to apply for an additional Umrah visa.
On an Umrah permit, your travel and stay restrictions are the same as specified on your original visa. Therefore, you can roam around KSA easily and do other things after completing Umrah rituals. Such type of visas can be extended while in KSA, as per the specified policies.
Citizens from eligible countries can get e-Visa as well as visa on arrival facilities for their travel to KSA. You can check the list of these nationalities on the official website of Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah.
Requirements for getting a Visa for Umrah
For the pilgrims wanting to travel with Umrah Packages 2025 following are the visa requirements.
- Passport sized phototrophs.
- Valid passport and enough empty pages.
- Proof of prebooked return flights and hotel stay.
- Vaccination certificate(s).
- Purpose of travel, bank statement, employment letter, etc. (for Umrah permit on work, tourist or family visa).
Processing Time
All types of visas are processed within a time frame of five working days to two weeks by Saudi Authorities. However, if you want an expedited visa approval, you can get urgent visa services against an additional fee.
Umrah Visa vs Umrah Permit
- If you need to tour the region, visit your family or work; Umrah permit is the best for you to offer holy rituals.
- Umrah visa only allows limited stay and travel. Pilgrims on Umrah visa can only travel between Jeddah, Makkah and Madinah.
- Umrah visas have a specific fee. However, Umrah permits on different visa types and nationalities may have different requirements.
- Umrah visas are person specific. Therefore, every pilgrim, whether young or adult, will require an Umrah visa for pilgrimage travel. Umrah permits, on the other hand, are not required for children who are under the age of 5. So, if you are arriving in KSA with 3 Star Ramadan Umrah Packages on an Umrah visa, it cannot be extended.
