Umrah Visa for UK Passport Holders: The Exact Process (2026)

This article is correct as of 2026-06-15.

If you’re a UK passport holder planning Umrah, the visa process has shifted quite a bit since 2025. Between the e-visa, the electronic visa waiver, and the Nusuk integration, it’s easy to pick the wrong option or miss a step that holds up your approval. [claim 10] [4] This guide walks you through exactly what you need, what each option costs, how long things take, and the mistakes that trip people up. [claim 6] [7]

Table of Contents

• Your two visa options at a glance
• The e-visa: tourist visa for Umrah
• The electronic visa waiver: cheaper but trickier
• What you’ll actually pay
• Passport validity: the 6-month rule [claim 2] [8]
• Nusuk integration: what changed in September 2025 [claim 10] [4]
• Hajj season restrictions [claim 5] [10]
• Processing times [claim 7] [11]
• Common mistakes
• FAQ

Your Two Visa Options at a Glance

UK passport holders have two entry routes for Umrah: the e-visa (tourist visa) and the electronic visa waiver (EVW). Both let you perform Umrah outside of Hajj season, but they differ in cost, insurance, and flexibility. [claim 1] [1]

Feature	E-Visa	E-Waiver
Validity	1 year from approval, multiple entries [claim 9] [2]	Single entry, up to 6 months stay [claim 4] [3]
Max stay per visit	90 days [claim 9] [2]	Up to 6 months [claim 4] [3]
Health insurance	Included (up to 100,000 SAR) [claim 3] [6]	Not included [claim 4] [3]
Application deadline	Can apply on arrival [claim 3] [6]	At least 48 hours before flight, up to 90 days ahead [claim 4] [3]
Cost (approximate)	Varies (typically higher than waiver)	~£49 + £5-7 agency service charge [claim 6] [7]
Flight details needed?	No	Yes [claim 4] [3]

The E-Visa: Tourist Visa for Umrah

This is the standard Saudi tourist e-visa, and it’s the more flexible option. You can apply online before travel or on arrival in Saudi Arabia. [claim 3] [6] The e-visa is valid for 1 year from approval and allows multiple entries, with a maximum stay of 90 days per visit. [claim 9] [2] Health insurance is included, covering up to 100,000 SAR in medical costs. [claim 3] [6]

If you’re planning more than one trip to Saudi Arabia in a year, or you want the option to extend your stay, the e-visa is the better pick. The catch is it costs more than the waiver, and you’ll still need Nusuk approval plus confirmed hotel and transport bookings for your Umrah. [claim 10] [4]

The Electronic Visa Waiver: Cheaper but Trickier

The e-waiver is the budget option, but it comes with tighter rules. You must apply online at least 48 hours before your flight and no more than 90 days in advance. [claim 4] [3] You’ll need your flight details at the time of application, so don’t wait until the last minute. [claim 4] [3]

The waiver gives you a single entry with up to 6 months of stay. [claim 4] [3] Health insurance is not included, so you’ll need to arrange your own cover. [claim 4] [3] This matters because medical care in Saudi Arabia is private and can be expensive without insurance.

The approximate cost is £49 for the visa itself, plus £5-7 in agency service charges. [claim 6] [7] That makes it the cheaper upfront option, but factor in the cost of buying your own travel insurance separately.

What You’ll Actually Pay

Here’s the breakdown based on current pricing:

• E-waiver visa fee: approximately £49 [claim 6] [7]
• Agency service charge: £5-7 [claim 6] [7]
• Total e-waiver cost: roughly £54-56 [claim 6] [7]
• E-visa cost: varies; check the official Saudi e-visa portal for current pricing [claim 3] [6]
• Travel insurance (e-waiver users only): budget £15-30 for a single trip policy, since health insurance is not included with the waiver [claim 4] [3]

The e-visa includes health insurance up to 100,000 SAR, so you’re getting that built into the price. [claim 3] [6] With the e-waiver, you’ll need to buy cover yourself. [claim 4] [3]

Passport Validity: the 6-Month Rule

Your passport must have an expiry date at least 6 months after the date you arrive in Saudi Arabia. [claim 2] [claim 8] [8] This applies whether you’re using an e-visa or an e-waiver.

If your passport has less than 6 months left, you’ll be turned away at check-in or at Saudi immigration. Renew it before you apply for anything else. The renewal takes 2-3 weeks with HMPO standard service, so budget that into your timeline.

Nusuk Integration: What Changed in September 2025

A September 2025 Saudi update changed the game for visa applications. Umrah visas now require Nusuk approval plus confirmed hotel and transport bookings in advance between Jeddah and Makkah. [claim 10] [4] Without these, your visa won’t be approved. [claim 10] [4]

This means you need to have your accommodation and transport sorted before you even submit your visa application. The old days of booking your visa first and figuring out hotels later are gone.

There’s also an important catch: you must book your Umrah visa and your transport with the same travel agency. [claim 11] [9] If you book the visa from one agency and transport from another, Nusuk may not approve your booking. [claim 11] [9] This is one of the most common reasons applications get held up, so keep everything under one roof.

Hajj Season Restrictions

During Hajj season, authorities may ban non-Hajj passengers from flying to Jeddah, Madinah, and Taif airports. [claim 5] [10] If you’re travelling for Umrah during the Hajj period, you won’t be allowed on flights to these airports without a Hajj visa. [claim 5] [10]

Hajj season typically falls in Dhu al-Hijjah, the final month of the Islamic calendar. The exact dates shift each year with the lunar calendar. If your travel window overlaps with Hajj, check the official Saudi Hajj and Umrah Ministry announcements before booking anything. You may need to fly via Riyadh instead, or adjust your dates entirely. [claim 5] [10]

Processing Times

Typical processing for both the e-visa and e-waiver takes 24-72 hours, and applications are often approved within 24 hours. [claim 7] [11] That said, don’t bank on the 24-hour best case. Apply at least 3 days before your flight, and ideally a week ahead so you have a buffer if something gets flagged for manual review.

For the e-waiver, remember you must apply at least 48 hours before your flight and no more than 90 days in advance. [claim 4] [3] For the e-visa, you can apply on arrival if you prefer, but doing it online ahead of time saves you queueing at the airport. [claim 3] [6]

Common Mistakes

• Booking visa and transport separately. You must use the same agency for both, or Nusuk won’t approve your application. [claim 11] [9]
• Applying with less than 6 months on your passport. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from your arrival date. [claim 2] [claim 8] [8]
• Flying to Jeddah during Hajj season without a Hajj visa. Non-Hajj passengers may be banned from flights to Jeddah, Madinah, and Taif during Hajj. [claim 5] [10]
• Forgetting travel insurance on an e-waiver. Health insurance is not included with the e-waiver. [claim 4] [3]
• Waiting until the last minute for the e-waiver. You must apply at least 48 hours before your flight and need flight details to complete the application. [claim 4] [3]
• Booking flights before confirming Nusuk approval. Since September 2025, your visa needs Nusuk approval plus confirmed hotel and transport bookings. [claim 10] [4] Get that sorted before you lock in flights.

FAQ

Do UK passport holders need a visa for Umrah?

Yes. You must get either an e-visa or an electronic visa waiver to perform Umrah. [claim 1] [1] Both are valid for Umrah outside of Hajj season. [claim 1] [1]

How much does the Umrah visa cost for UK citizens?

The e-waiver costs approximately £49 plus £5-7 in agency service charges, totalling roughly £54-56. [claim 6] [7] The e-visa costs more but includes health insurance up to 100,000 SAR. [claim 3] [6]

How long does the visa take to process?

Processing takes 24-72 hours, with most approvals coming through within 24 hours. [claim 7] [11] Apply at least 3 days before travel to be safe.

Can I use the e-visa for multiple Umrah trips?

Yes. The e-visa is valid for 1 year from approval with multiple entries allowed, and you can stay up to 90 days per visit. [claim 9] [2]

Do I need Nusuk approval before applying for the visa?

Since the September 2025 update, Umrah visas require Nusuk approval plus confirmed hotel and transport bookings between Jeddah and Makkah. [claim 10] [4] Without these, your visa won’t be approved. [claim 10] [4]

What happens if I try to travel during Hajj season?

During Hajj season, authorities may ban non-Hajj passengers from flying to Jeddah, Madinah, and Taif. [claim 5] [10] You’ll need a Hajj visa if you’re travelling during this period.

Next Steps

Start with your passport: check the expiry date and make sure you’ve got at least 6 months from your planned arrival. [claim 2] [claim 8] [8] Then decide between the e-visa and e-waiver based on whether you want multiple entries, included insurance, and flexibility. Book your hotel and transport through a single agency before applying so Nusuk approval goes through smoothly. [claim 11] [claim 10] [9] Apply online at least a week before your flight, and don’t book anything non-refundable until your visa is confirmed.

Notes

1. [1] UK passport holders must get an e-visa to perform Umrah; electronic visa waiver is also available for Umrah outside Hajj season. Source: GOV.UK Foreign Travel Advice, accessed 2026-06-15.
2. [2] E-visa is valid for 1 year from approval with multiple entries allowed; maximum 90 days per visit. Source: Taqwa Tours, accessed 2026-06-15.
3. [3] Electronic visa waiver requires application online at least 48 hours before flight, up to 90 days in advance; flight details required; single entry, up to 6 months stay; health insurance NOT included. Source: GOV.UK Foreign Travel Advice, accessed 2026-06-15.
4. [4] As per September 2025 Saudi update, Umrah visas now require Nusuk approval plus confirmed hotel and transport bookings between Jeddah and Makkah. Without these, visas won’t be approved. Source: Taqwa Tours, accessed 2026-06-15.
5. [5] During Hajj season, authorities may ban non-Hajj passengers from flying to Jeddah, Madinah, and Taif. Source: GOV.UK Foreign Travel Advice, accessed 2026-06-15.
6. [6] E-visa can be applied online or on arrival; includes health insurance up to 100,000 SAR. Source: GOV.UK Foreign Travel Advice, accessed 2026-06-15.
7. [7] E-Waiver Visa for British passport holders costs approximately £49 plus £5-7 agency service charge. Source: Taqwa Tours, accessed 2026-06-15.
8. [8] Passport must have an expiry date at least 6 months after the date of arrival. Source: GOV.UK Foreign Travel Advice and Taqwa Tours (cross-referenced), accessed 2026-06-15.
9. [9] You must book Umrah visa and transport with the same travel agency for Nusuk approval. If you book visa from one agency and transport from another, Nusuk may not approve your booking. Source: Taqwa Tours, accessed 2026-06-15.
10. [10] During Hajj season, authorities may ban non-Hajj passengers from flying to Jeddah, Madinah, and Taif. Source: GOV.UK Foreign Travel Advice, accessed 2026-06-15.
11. [11] Processing time is typically 24-72 hours; often approved within 24 hours. Source: Taqwa Tours, accessed 2026-06-15.