Umrah Visa from the UK: Requirements and How to Apply in 2026
If you're planning Umrah from the UK, your visa is the first thing to sort out, and the process has changed. Most British pilgrims now apply for their Umrah visa online through Nusuk, the official platform of the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah. You'll need a valid passport, a recent photo, meningitis vaccination, travel insurance, and confirmed bookings before your visa can be approved. This Umrah visa UK guide explains your options, the documents required, and the current rules on validity, health and travel.
Your UK visa options for Umrah
UK residents have three main ways to enter Saudi Arabia for Umrah.
Dedicated Umrah visa (via Nusuk)
Applied for through Nusuk and issued specifically for pilgrimage, this is the usual choice for British Muslims travelling mainly for Umrah. You may be asked for proof that you're Muslim, such as a letter from your mosque.
Saudi ETA (the visa waiver route)
The Electronic Visa Waiver (EVW) that British travellers used for Umrah was discontinued on 1 July 2026 and replaced by the Saudi Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). The ETA is an online authorisation for UK passport holders, allowing multiple entries and up to 180 days a year, and can be used for Umrah outside Hajj season. It doesn't cover Hajj, work or residence, and doesn't include insurance, so you'll still need your own cover.
Saudi tourist e-Visa
Applied for online at visitsaudi.com, the tourist e-Visa is valid for a year with multiple entries and also lets you perform Umrah outside the Hajj season. It has no religious requirement, so it suits families too.
Whichever route you choose, you still register on Nusuk and get an Umrah permit for the Grand Mosque. Non-British passport holders usually apply through an approved agency and need a valid UK residence permit.
What you need: the checklist
- A passport valid for at least six months from your date of entry.
- A recent passport-style photo, white background, full face visible.
- Meningitis (MenACWY) vaccine, given at least 10 days before you arrive.
- Travel insurance covering medical care in Saudi Arabia.
- Bookings confirmed through Nusuk-approved providers before you apply.
- Return flights, and for non-British passport holders, a valid UK residence permit.
How the Umrah visa process works
Most delays and rejections come from small mistakes: mismatched bookings, missing documents or incorrect details. When you book with Saudi Tours, our UK team provides Nusuk support. We can't approve visas, no agency can, but we do the groundwork so yours meets every requirement.
- Tell us your plans, and we'll match you to the right package.
- We arrange your bookings for hotel and transport through Nusuk-approved providers, on one verified booking chain.
- We check your documents — passport, photo, vaccination and insurance — against Nusuk's requirements.
- Your application goes through Nusuk with our support, and we keep you updated.
- You receive your visa and Umrah permit once approved, ready to travel.
One team, one booking chain, and no last-minute scramble. Talk to our UK team to start.
How long is an Umrah visa valid for?
An Umrah visa is valid for a set period from issue, and you must enter within that window. Once in, you can stay up to 90 days, far longer than the old two-week limit; on the Saudi ETA, the total stay is up to 180 days a year. Umrah runs all year except during Hajj, when issuance pauses briefly, so check current dates on Nusuk.
Health and vaccinations
All pilgrims aged one and over need the meningococcal meningitis (MenACWY) vaccine, taken at least 10 days before arrival; carry the certificate, as it's checked on entry. Polio vaccination may be needed if you're travelling from an at-risk country. Check GOV.UK and Nusuk close to your travel date.
Can women travel for Umrah without a mahram?
Yes. Saudi Arabia has removed the mahram requirement, so women of any adult age can perform Umrah alone or in a group, and many UK operators run women-only Umrah groups. This is a Saudi visa rule, not a ruling on Islamic law, so if you're unsure, ask a scholar you trust.
Book safely
Umrah fraud targets UK pilgrims and the FCDO urges caution, so only book through an agency approved by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah and registered on Nusuk. Saudi Tours is part of 7 Continents Travel Ltd (Companies House number 05224578), which has arranged travel for pilgrims since 2006. Our flight-inclusive bookings are financially protected under ATOL 10416 in the event of our financial failure, and we're IATA accredited under number 91280442, numbers you can check yourself. For a full breakdown of the requirements and process, read our complete Umrah visa guide for 2026.
