Umrah Visa 2026 from the UK

Umrah Visa from the UK: 2026 Requirements and How to Apply

To perform Umrah from the UK, you need a Saudi visa that permits Umrah plus a confirmed booking made through Nusuk, Saudi Arabia's official pilgrimage platform. Most UK travellers use a dedicated Umrah visa arranged through a licensed agent, a Saudi tourist eVisa, or the Saudi ETA (which replaced the Electronic Visa Waiver on 1 July 2026). This Umrah visa UK guide covers the 2026 rules, your options, requirements and how to apply, with Nusuk support from Tawaf Travel.

The latest Umrah visa rules for 2026

Three 2026 changes matter most for UK travellers:

• Nusuk booking is compulsory: Since 2025, you need confirmed hotel and transport bookings on the official Nusuk Masar platform before an Umrah visa is issued; applications without one are refused.
• A new one-year, multiple-entry Umrah visa: Launched in July 2026, it's valid 365 days from issue and lets eligible pilgrims enter more than once, with a combined 90-day stay across the year.
• A digital Umrah permit is required: A visa alone isn't enough; you also need an Umrah permit (tasreeh) booked through the Nusuk app to enter Masjid al-Haram on each visit.

Types of Saudi visa you can use for Umrah

Which route suits you depends on your nationality, residency and how you travel:

• Standard single-entry Umrah visa — a dedicated religious visa arranged through a licensed UK agent; a 30-day window to enter after issue, then up to 90 days' stay.
• One-year multiple-entry Umrah visa — the new 2026 option, valid 365 days, for pilgrims travelling more than once in a year (90-day combined stay).
• Saudi tourist eVisa — a one-year, multiple-entry visa that also allows Umrah and wider travel; popular with independent UK travellers.
• Saudi ETA — replaced the EVW for British passport holders on 1 July 2026; apply online at ksavisa.sa. Multiple entries, up to 180 days across a year, for Umrah outside Hajj (not Hajj, work or residency).
• Visa on arrival — possible if you hold a valid UK, US or Schengen visa or residency.

Umrah visa requirements for UK travellers

To apply from the UK, you'll need:

• A passport valid for at least six months from your date of entry.
• A recent passport-style photo meeting Saudi specifications.
• Biometrics captured through the Saudi Visa Bio app (passport, face and fingerprints).
• A meningococcal (MenACWY) vaccination certificate dated at least 10 days before you arrive.
• Confirmed Nusuk Masar bookings for your accommodation and transport.
• Medical insurance — included with the dedicated and one-year Umrah visas; the Saudi ETA does not include it, so check your cover.

You must be 18 to travel to Saudi Arabia on your own; under-18s must travel with a parent or an approved legal guardian.

How to apply for an Umrah visa from the UK

UK travellers usually apply in one of three ways:

1. Through a licensed UK agent such as Tawaf Travel: We book your accommodation and transport through Nusuk Masar, guide you through the biometrics and documents, and support your Umrah visa application from start to finish.
2. Independently with a tourist eVisa or Saudi ETA: Apply online at ksavisa.sa, then book your Umrah permit and any Rawdah slots through the Nusuk app.
3. On arrival: if you hold an eligible UK, US or Schengen visa or residency.

Because the visa, accommodation and transport now sit in one Nusuk record, booking everything through one agency keeps them aligned and reduces the risk of rejection.

Nusuk and Nusuk Masar explained

Nusuk is Saudi Arabia's official platform for pilgrims. With the linked Nusuk Masar service, you book approved accommodation and transport, issue your Umrah permit for Masjid al-Haram, and reserve slots such as the Rawdah at Masjid an-Nabawi in Madinah. Since 2025, a confirmed Nusuk booking is required before your Umrah visa can be issued.

Can women perform Umrah without a mahram?

Yes. Women of any age can now perform Umrah without a mahram (a male guardian). Many travel in organised groups, which makes the arrangements simpler.

When can you travel for Umrah?

Umrah is available for most of the year. The main exception is the Hajj period, when the Umrah visa is suspended, roughly from the start of Dhul-Qi'dah to mid Dhul-Hijjah. Ramadan is very busy, so apply and book early.

How Tawaf Travel supports your Umrah visa

Tawaf Travel is a UK-based brand of 7 Continents Travel Ltd (Companies House 05224578), which has arranged Hajj and Umrah travel since 2006. We are IATA accredited (91280442). Our flight-inclusive Umrah packages are ATOL protected (ATOL 10416), which covers you against our financial failure on flight-inclusive bookings; you'll be given an ATOL Certificate, so check it lists everything you have booked. A visa on its own is not an ATOL-protected service. Our team offers Nusuk support and books your accommodation and transport through Nusuk Masar. Explore our Ramadan Umrah packages or contact our team.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a visa for Umrah from the UK?

Yes. UK travellers need a Saudi visa that permits Umrah: a dedicated Umrah visa through a licensed agent, a Saudi tourist eVisa, or the Saudi ETA (which replaced the EVW on 1 July 2026). You also need a confirmed Nusuk booking and an Umrah permit before performing Umrah at Masjid al-Haram.

How do I apply for an Umrah visa from the UK?

Most UK pilgrims apply through a licensed UK agent, who books accommodation and transport through Nusuk Masar and supports the application. Eligible travellers can apply online for a tourist eVisa or the Saudi ETA at ksavisa.sa, or get a visa on arrival with a valid UK, US or Schengen visa or residency.

What documents do I need for an Umrah visa?

A passport valid for at least six months from entry, a passport-style photo, biometrics captured through the Saudi Visa Bio app, a meningococcal (MenACWY) vaccination certificate, and confirmed Nusuk Masar bookings for accommodation and transport.

How long is an Umrah visa valid for?

A standard single-entry Umrah visa gives you 30 days to enter after it is issued and a stay of up to 90 days once you arrive. The new one-year multiple-entry Umrah visa is valid for 365 days from issue, with a combined 90-day stay across all trips.

Can I perform Umrah on a Saudi tourist visa?

Yes. The Saudi tourist eVisa is a one-year, multiple-entry visa that allows you to perform Umrah and visit other cities in Saudi Arabia. You still need to book your Umrah permit through the Nusuk app.

Is the Electronic Visa Waiver (EVW) still available, and what is the Saudi ETA?

No. Saudi Arabia discontinued the EVW on 1 July 2026 and replaced it with the Saudi ETA, applied for at ksavisa.sa. The ETA allows multiple entries with a combined stay of up to 180 days in a year and can be used for Umrah outside Hajj; it does not cover Hajj, work or residency.

Can women perform Umrah without a mahram?

Yes. Women of any age can perform Umrah without a mahram under Saudi Arabia’s updated rules introduced in October 2022. The former 45+ age condition no longer applies, although some women still prefer travelling with an organised group for additional support.