Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has announced a major update to its Umrah visa regulations. The entry validity of Umrah visas has now been shortened to one month, a significant reduction from the previous three-month window.
Under the new rule, pilgrims must enter Saudi Arabia within 30 days of the visa being issued. If the visa is not used within this period, it will be automatically cancelled.
Officials made it clear that this modification only affects the legitimacy of the entry. According to previous regulations, a pilgrim may remain in the Kingdom for a maximum of three months after entering.
The decision, according to the authorities, was made to help control the increasing number of Umrah pilgrims and avoid crowding in Mecca and Medina, particularly during the approaching cooler months when travel usually increases. The change is meant to improve crowd control in the holy towns and expedite pilgrim flow, according to advisors to the National Committee for Umrah.
Saudi Arabia has already issued more than 4 million Umrah visas within the last five months, reflecting strong global demand. With such high numbers, the government aims to ensure smoother movement and better organisation of pilgrim groups.
The new policy is also aligned with the Kingdom’s push for digital transformation in religious travel services. Pilgrims are encouraged to use digital tools like the Nusuk Umrah platform, which simplifies the process of planning trips, booking permits and managing logistics electronically.
Authorities have urged all prospective pilgrims to take note of the revised rules and ensure timely entry to avoid visa cancellations.