New Decision on Umrah Visa Brings Major Change

The Saudi Arabian government has made a new decision regarding the validity period of the Umrah visa, introducing a significant change.

The visa's validity is being reduced from the previously set three months to one month. This new policy is set to take effect starting next week, according to reports.

Gulf News reported this information on Friday (October 31), citing Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Hajj and Umrah.

Key Details of the New Umrah Visa Rules

• Validity Period: The period for a pilgrim to enter the Kingdom after the Umrah visa is issued will be reduced from three months to one month (30 days).
• Automatic Cancellation: Under the revised regulations, the Umrah visa will be automatically canceled if the pilgrim does not register to enter Saudi Arabia within 30 days of the visa being issued.
• Duration of Stay: The permitted length of stay for pilgrims after arrival in Saudi Arabia will remain unchanged at three months.
• Hajj Visa: The validity of the Hajj visa will also remain unchanged at three months.

Reason for the Change

The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah stated that this step is being taken to streamline visa management and facilitate the entry process for Umrah pilgrims.

Ahmed Bajaeifer, an advisor at the National Committee for Umrah and Visit, said the decision is part of the ministry's preparations to handle the anticipated surge in Umrah pilgrims, especially during the cooler months when more people typically travel to Makkah and Madinah. The aim is to prevent overcrowding in the two holy cities.

Earlier Initiatives

Earlier this month, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah announced that holders of various other visa types—including personal and family visit visas, e-tourist visas, transit visas, and work visas—are also now eligible to perform Umrah.

A statement said this decision was part of efforts to simplify procedures for pilgrims and expand the scope of services, in line with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.