Saudi Arabia now allows all visa holders to perform umrah

The Saudi Arabia Ministry Hajj and Umrah announced that visitors holding any kind of visa are allowed to perform Umrah during their stay in the kingdom, reported the Saudi Arabian Organization.

The move is part of the ministry’s broader effort to simplify pilgrimage processes and expand access to visitors, aligning with the targets of Saudi vision 2030.

The ministry said that the permitted visa categories include personal and family visits visas, electronic tourism theories, transit (stop), work visa and other types of visa.

He added that the initiative reflects the kingdom’s commitment to facilitate Muslims worldwide to perform their religious rituals “comfortably and peace”.

To further facilitate the process, the ministry recently launched the “Nusuk Umrah” platform, allowing pilgrims to select packages, book services and issue UMRAH allows electronically. The fully digital system allows visitors to choose appropriate times and flexibility options.

The ministry said these initiatives prove “the intensity of the guardian of the two sacred mosques and the royal of the prince’s highness – can Allah protect them – to allow Muslims to visit the two sacred mosques and execute them”.

He added that the government is continuing to strengthen the services to ensure that pilgrims’ travels are seamless, enriched and spiritually satisfactory.

Previously, only Umrah visa pilgrims (issued specifically for pilgrimage) were allowed to execute Umrah. Holders of tourist visas could only execute UMRAH if they were implemented through approved packages or after obtaining a special license through “Nusuk” or “Eatmarna” applications.

Visa holders and labor visa residents could execute UMRAH, but had to register and receive separate licenses for specific timetables. Visit the Visa holders (personal or family visits) were not automatically eligible – they had to apply for an additional UMRAH license and often have delays or rejections.

Transit visa holders (those passing through Saudi Arabia’s airports) were not able to execute Umrah unless their conditions were given to certain conditions and approval.

Read more: Saudi Arabia reveals new rules for accommodation

Last week, Saudi Arabia unveiled a new temporary licensing system for Pilgrim accommodation in Makkah and Madinah during the 2026 Hajj season, with the aim of reducing housing shortages and improving the quality of services for millions of pilgrims.

The Hajj and Umrah ministry has announced that the initiative would allow property owners to obtain seasonal licenses for hosting pilgrims.

It was developed in collaboration with the Ministries of Tourism and Municipalities and Housing, the plan is designed to extend the capacity during the pilgrimage without endangering safety or standards.

Candidates should be registered via the Nusuk Masar platform, with approvals processed through the Ministry of Tourism’s electronic portal. The conventional period will close on 13 Sha’ban 1447 AH (February 1, 2026). Hotels that already hold tourism licenses all year will not be affected by the new rule.

Employees say that connecting to facilities license to the Nusuk reservation system will rationalize bookings, prevent overcrowding and create a safer, more organized experience for pilgrims.