Umrah Season 1448 AH Begins May 31, 2026

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has published the official Umrah season calendar for 1448 AH, and the practical takeaway for DIY planners is simple: the season opens this Saturday, May 31, 2026. That’s when visa issuance starts and the first pilgrims can begin arriving [1].

The ministry made the announcement on May 17, laying out the full season timeline. If you’ve been waiting to lock in your Umrah plans, here are the dates that matter.

What’s affected

Five key dates to know for the 1448 AH Umrah season:

• May 31, 2026: Umrah visa issuance begins and the first pilgrim arrivals are permitted [1]. This is the official season start.
• June 1, 2026: Entry to Makkah resumes and Umrah permits become available through the Nusuk app [1]. If you’re arriving May 31, plan your Makkah entry for June 1 or later.
• March 9, 2027: Last day for Saudi embassies and consulates to issue Umrah visas. If you don’t have your visa by this date, you’re waiting until the next season.
• March 23, 2027: Final date for pilgrims to enter the Kingdom. This is the hard cutoff, arrivals after this date won’t be processed.
• April 7, 2027: Final departure date. All Umrah pilgrims must have left Saudi Arabia by this date [1].

The ministry also called on service providers and overseas agents to stick to the approved schedule, which means the usual end-of-season extensions some travellers bank on are unlikely to materialise.

What to do

1. If you’re planning for the early season (June–August 2026): book your visa application now. The first few weeks after June 1 see high demand for Nusuk slots [1], and accommodation in Makkah near the Haram fills up fast.
2. If you’re targeting late season (January–March 2027): aim to complete your entry by mid-March at the latest. The March 23 entry cutoff is firm, and flights get expensive in the final two weeks.
3. Download or update the Nusuk app now. Permit bookings go live June 1 [1], and you’ll want your account set up and verified beforehand, don’t leave it until the day you need a permit.
4. Factor the April 7 departure deadline into your return flight booking. Overstaying triggers fines, so book a return flight with at least a day or two of margin.

This article is correct as of 2026-05-26.

Source: Saudi Gazette, Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah statement (May 17, 2026).

Notes

[1] Umrah Season 1448 AH calendar as announced by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, reported by Saudi Gazette (May 17, 2026). Dates are based on the Hijri calendar and may shift slightly depending on lunar sighting. Verify current dates on the official Nusuk platform before booking travel.