Saudi Arabia Introduces One-Year Multiple-Entry Umrah Visa

MAKKAH - Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has introduced a one-year multiple-entry Umrah visa, allowing pilgrims to enter the Kingdom several times over a 12-month period with a maximum cumulative stay of up to 90 days. The visa is valid for 365 days from the date of issuance, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported on Monday, July 20.

The move marks a significant shift in the Kingdom's approach to religious tourism, allowing frequent pilgrims to plan repeat visits without submitting a fresh visa application before each trip.

How the 90-Day Rule Works

The 90-day allowance is calculated cumulatively across all visits, rather than resetting with each entry. Every day spent inside Saudi Arabia counts against the same shared total: a pilgrim who stays 30 days on one visit would have 60 days remaining for the rest of the year. The visa ceases to be usable once either the 90 days or the one-year validity period is exhausted, whichever comes first.

Nusuk Packages Required for Each Entry

Under the new system, pilgrims must purchase a service package from an approved provider on Nusuk for each entry into the Kingdom, and secure an Umrah permit through the platform before arrival. The duration of each package must not exceed the number of days remaining on the visa.

Nusuk is Saudi Arabia's digital platform that allows international pilgrims to apply for Umrah visas and book services online without intermediaries. The visa and permit are electronically linked, enabling pilgrims to complete their journey without physical paperwork.

Deactivation and Hajj Season Restrictions

After completing the pilgrimage and upon departure, the visa deactivates. It can then be reactivated for the pilgrim's next visit, once they have met the applicable regulatory requirements.

Importantly, the ministry clarified that the multiple-entry Umrah visa cannot be used to enter Saudi Arabia during the annual Hajj season, when it remains inactive.

Part of Vision 2030

According to the Saudi Press Agency, the initiative supports the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030 and the Pilgrim Experience Program, aiming to simplify arrival procedures, improve the experience of pilgrims, and increase the efficiency of services provided to Umrah visitors.

The ministry affirmed that the visa enhances flexibility in planning visits and supports the integration of digital and operational services throughout the pilgrim's journey.

Rising Pilgrim Numbers

The announcement comes amid a marked increase in Umrah traffic. So far in 2026, Saudi Arabia has welcomed 931,500 pilgrims on Umrah visas, a 22.5% rise compared with the same period in 2025, with the largest numbers of international visitors arriving from Pakistan, Indonesia, and Iraq. In 2025, the Kingdom hosted more than 1.5 million foreign pilgrims for Hajj alone, according to data from the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT).

Umrah and Hajj: The Difference

Unlike Hajj, which is performed only during the Islamic month of Dhul Hijjah, Umrah is a voluntary pilgrimage that can be undertaken at any time of year. Hajj is a once-in-a-lifetime religious obligation for Muslims who are financially and physically able, with core rituals taking roughly five to six days to complete. Umrah, by contrast, can typically be completed within a few hours in a single day, making the flexibility offered by the new multiple-entry visa particularly well suited to repeat pilgrims.