Umrah Visa for UK Passport Holders, Exact Process (2026)

Last updated: 14 June 2026

If you hold a UK passport and you are planning Umrah, you have two straightforward visa options. No embassy visits, no paper forms, no weeks of waiting. The Saudi visa system for British passport holders is among the simplest in the world, but choosing the wrong option can mean missing health insurance cover or paying for a package you did not need.

This guide covers each route in detail: what it costs [claim 12] [2], how long it takes [claim 19] [2], what documents you need [claim 7] [1] [claim 15] [2], and which mistakes trip people up.

Contents

• Who this applies to
• Option 1: Saudi tourist e-visa [claim 2] [1] [claim 17] [2]
• Option 2: Electronic visa waiver [claim 4] [1] [claim 5] [1]
• Traditional Umrah visa through an agency [claim 14] [2]
• Documents and requirements [claim 7] [1] [claim 15] [2]
• Vaccination rules [claim 11] [1]
• Hajj season restrictions [claim 8] [1] [claim 9] [1]
• Costs: visa fees and packages [claim 12] [2] [claim 18] [2]
• Common mistakes
• FAQ

Who this applies to

This guide is for British passport holders applying from the UK. The e-visa and visa waiver options described here are available to UK citizens because the United Kingdom is on Saudi Arabia’s list of countries eligible for the tourist e-visa [1].

If you are not a UK citizen but you hold a valid UK residence permit, you may still be able to apply from within the UK. Non-UK citizens need to show a valid UK residence permit as part of the application [claim 16] [2]. If you hold a passport from a country not on the e-visa eligibility list and you do not have UK residency, different rules apply. For those cases, check whether your nationality qualifies for the e-visa [1] or whether you need the traditional Umrah visa route through a licensed travel agency [claim 14] [2].

Your passport must have an expiry date at least 6 months after the date you arrive in Saudi Arabia [claim 7] [1]. This is non-negotiable. Airlines check this at departure, and Saudi immigration enforces it on arrival. If your passport expires sooner, renew it before you apply for anything.

Option 1: Saudi tourist e-visa

The Saudi tourist e-visa is the route most UK passport holders should use for Umrah. It is fully online, processed quickly, and explicitly permits Umrah alongside tourism [claim 2] [1]. You apply through visa.visitsaudi.com [1].

The e-visa is valid for 1 year from the date of issue [claim 17] [2]. During that year, you can enter Saudi Arabia multiple times. The total combined stay across all entries cannot exceed 90 days within the 1-year validity period [1].

A major advantage of the e-visa is that it includes health insurance cover up to 100,000 SAR [claim 3] [1]. That said, GOV.UK advises taking out additional travel insurance because medical costs in Saudi Arabia can be high [1]. The bundled insurance is a baseline cover. If you have a medical condition or want comprehensive repatriation cover, get a separate policy.

The e-visa allows Umrah but it does not permit Hajj [claim 8] [1]. Hajj requires a separate visa altogether [claim 8] [1]. If your trip overlaps with Hajj season, be aware that the e-visa will not get you onto Hajj sites and Saudi authorities may restrict flights into certain airports during that period [claim 9] [1].

The application itself is straightforward. You fill out the form on visa.visitsaudi.com, upload the required documents, pay the fee, and receive your e-visa digitally [1]. There is no embassy appointment, no passport to post, and no paper visa sticker. You receive an electronic document that you print out and carry with your passport.

The e-visa fee typically falls within the £80 to £150 range for UK residents [claim 12] [2]. This fee includes the mandatory health insurance [claim 3] [1], so you are not paying for insurance separately through the e-visa channel.

Option 2: Electronic visa waiver

The electronic visa waiver is a different product from the e-visa. It allows a single entry and a stay of up to 6 months [claim 4] [1]. You apply through visa.mofa.gov.sa [claim 6] [1].

The critical difference: the visa waiver does not include health insurance [claim 5] [1]. If you use this route, you must arrange your own travel insurance that covers Saudi Arabia. Do not assume your standard UK travel insurance policy includes Saudi Arabia by default. Check the policy wording or buy a specific policy.

The application timing is strict. You must submit your visa waiver application at least 48 hours before your flight [claim 6] [1]. You can apply up to 90 days in advance [claim 6] [1]. Flight details are required as part of the application [1], so you need to have your flights booked before you apply.

For most Umrah travellers, the e-visa is the better option. The visa waiver’s main advantage is the longer single stay of up to 6 months [claim 4] [1]. If you are spending a month or more in Saudi Arabia and the e-visa’s 90-day total limit feels tight, the waiver gives you more headroom on a single trip. But you give up the included health insurance [claim 5] [1] and the flexibility of multiple entries.

Traditional Umrah visa through an agency

There is a third route, though fewer UK passport holders use it now that the e-visa exists. The traditional Umrah visa is arranged through a travel agency approved by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah [claim 14] [2].

This route is worth knowing about if you are booking a full Umrah package anyway. Licensed agencies handle the visa, flights, hotel, and ground transport as a bundle. The visa fee is typically rolled into the package price rather than broken out separately [2]. Processing through a licensed agency usually takes 1 to 2 weeks [claim 19] [2].

Full Umrah packages from the UK typically cost between £1,000 and £2,000, including flights, hotels, transport, visa fees, and some meals [claim 18] [2]. If you are comparing the DIY e-visa route against a package, factor in what you would pay separately for flights, hotels, and transfers. For some itineraries, the package works out cheaper than booking everything yourself. For others, especially if you find good flight deals, the DIY route saves money.

If you do use an agency, confirm they are licensed by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah [claim 14] [2]. Unlicensed operators cannot legally process Umrah visas, and handing your passport to one risks your entire trip.

Documents and requirements

For both the e-visa and the electronic visa waiver, you need the following [claim 7] [1] [claim 15] [2]:

• A UK passport valid for at least 6 months after your arrival date in Saudi Arabia [claim 7] [1]
• Passport-sized photographs [claim 15] [2]
• Proof of accommodation, such as hotel bookings [claim 15] [2]
• Return flight tickets [claim 15] [2]
• Vaccination certificates, including meningitis vaccination proof [claim 11] [1] [claim 15] [2]

For the electronic visa waiver specifically, flight details are required at the time of application, which means you must have your flights booked before you apply [claim 6] [1].

Non-UK citizens applying from the UK need a valid UK residence permit [claim 16] [2]. If you hold a UK Biometric Residence Permit or settled status, have it ready to upload or present.

One additional point from GOV.UK: your passport must not show travel to Israel [claim 10] [1]. Saudi Arabia may deny entry if your passport shows Israeli stamps or if your place of birth is listed as Israel [claim 10] [1]. If you have an Israeli stamp in your current passport, replace the passport before applying.

Vaccination rules

The meningococcal quadrivalent vaccine is required for Hajj and Umrah pilgrims [claim 11] [1]. This is per UK government travel guidance. You need proof of vaccination. Book this with your GP or a travel clinic well ahead of your departure date. Some vaccines need to be administered a certain number of days before travel to be valid, so do not leave this to the last week.

If you are arriving in Saudi Arabia from a country with yellow fever transmission risk, you also need yellow fever vaccination proof [1]. Most UK travellers arriving directly from the UK will not need this, but if your routing includes a stopover in a yellow fever risk country, check the requirements.

The COVID-19 situation changes periodically. The source guidance from Alharamain Travels lists COVID-19 vaccination certificates as a document that may be required [claim 15] [2]. Check the latest Saudi entry requirements on GOV.UK and the Visit Saudi website close to your travel date, as these rules can shift.

Hajj season restrictions

The tourist e-visa permits Umrah but excludes Hajj [claim 8] [1]. During the Hajj period, Saudi authorities may stop visitors who are not performing Hajj from flying to Jeddah, Madinah, and Taif [claim 9] [1].

This means if you book flights to Jeddah or Madinah during Hajj season on a tourist e-visa, you could be blocked from boarding [claim 9] [1]. The restriction applies to the airports serving the main Umrah and Hajj entry points. Riyadh and Dammam are typically less affected, but flying into those cities adds significant travel time to Makkah and Madinah [1].

If your only purpose is Umrah and your travel dates fall close to the Hajj period, check the Hajj calendar for the year you are travelling [claim 9] [1]. Plan your Umrah for well before or well after the Hajj window. If you must travel during that window, confirm your route and airport with your airline and the Saudi embassy before booking.

Costs: visa fees and packages

The Umrah visa fee for UK residents typically ranges from £80 to £150 [claim 12] [2]. For the e-visa route, this fee covers the visa itself and the included health insurance up to 100,000 SAR [claim 3] [1]. For the electronic visa waiver, the fee covers only the waiver [claim 5] [1]. You pay separately for insurance.

If you go through a licensed travel agency for the traditional Umrah visa, the visa fee is usually bundled into a package [2]. Full Umrah packages from the UK typically cost between £1,000 and £2,000, covering flights, hotels, transport, visa fees, and some meals [claim 18] [2]. Agency processing takes 1 to 2 weeks [claim 19] [2].

Do not book non-refundable flights before you have your visa confirmed. Whichever route you choose, the visa comes first. Flights and hotels are useless without entry permission.

Common mistakes

• Using the electronic visa waiver without buying health insurance. The waiver does not include health insurance [claim 5] [1]. If you need medical care in Saudi Arabia without cover, the costs can be substantial. GOV.UK explicitly advises taking out additional travel insurance beyond what the e-visa provides [1]. For the visa waiver route, where there is no included cover at all, insurance is not optional.
• Booking flights to Jeddah during Hajj season on a tourist e-visa. The e-visa excludes Hajj [claim 8] [1], and Saudi authorities may block non-Hajj visitors from flying to Jeddah, Madinah, or Taif during the Hajj period [claim 9] [1]. Check the Hajj calendar before you book.
• Applying for the visa waiver less than 48 hours before the flight. The application must be submitted at least 48 hours before your flight [claim 6] [1]. Last-minute applications risk rejection or delay, and you will not be allowed to board without the visa.
• Travelling with a passport that has Israeli stamps. Saudi Arabia may deny entry [claim 10] [1]. If your passport shows travel to Israel, replace the passport before applying for any Saudi visa.
• Letting a passport expire within 6 months of arrival. The 6-month validity rule is strict [claim 7] [1]. Airlines enforce it at check-in. Renew early.
• Assuming a friend or relative’s agency can process the visa without checking if they are licensed. Only agencies approved by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah can legally process Umrah visas [claim 14] [2]. Unlicensed operators cannot obtain a valid visa.

FAQ

Can I perform Umrah on the Saudi tourist e-visa?

Yes. The tourist e-visa explicitly allows Umrah alongside tourism [claim 2] [1]. It does not permit Hajj, which requires a separate visa [claim 8] [1].

What is the difference between the e-visa and the electronic visa waiver?

The e-visa is valid for 1 year with multiple entries and includes health insurance up to 100,000 SAR [claim 3] [1] [claim 17] [2]. The visa waiver allows a single entry for up to 6 months and does not include health insurance [claim 4] [1] [claim 5] [1]. For most Umrah trips, the e-visa is the better choice.

How much does an Umrah visa cost for UK passport holders?

The visa fee typically falls within the range of £80 to £150 for UK residents [claim 12] [2]. If you book a full Umrah package through a licensed agency, the visa cost is usually included in the package price [2]. Full packages range from £1,000 to £2,000 [claim 18] [2].

How long does the visa take to get?

The e-visa is processed online and is usually issued quickly after applying [1]. Traditional Umrah visa processing through a licensed agency typically takes 1 to 2 weeks [claim 19] [2]. The visa waiver must be applied for at least 48 hours before your flight and can be submitted up to 90 days in advance [claim 6] [1].

Do I need vaccinations for Umrah?

Yes. The meningococcal quadrivalent vaccine is required for Hajj and Umrah pilgrims [claim 11] [1]. You may also need yellow fever vaccination proof if arriving from a transmission-risk country [1]. COVID-19 vaccination certificates may be required [claim 15] [2]. Check GOV.UK close to your travel date for the latest rules.

Can I travel during Hajj season on a tourist e-visa?

The e-visa does not permit Hajj [claim 8] [1]. During the Hajj period, Saudi authorities may stop visitors who are not performing Hajj from flying to Jeddah, Madinah, and Taif [claim 9] [1]. Plan your Umrah for dates outside the Hajj window.

Next steps

Check your passport validity first. If it expires within 6 months of your planned arrival date, renew it immediately [claim 7] [1]. Then decide your route: e-visa at visa.visitsaudi.com for most trips, visa waiver at visa.mofa.gov.sa if you need the longer single stay [claim 6] [1], or a licensed travel agency if you want a full package [claim 14] [2]. Get your meningococcal vaccine sorted [claim 11] [1], book your flights, and arrange health insurance if you are using the visa waiver route [claim 5] [1]. Apply for your visa well before your travel date. Once you have the visa in hand, book your hotels and any internal transport.

Getting around after you arrive

Once your visa is sorted and you land in Saudi Arabia, the next question is how to get between Jeddah, Makkah, and Madinah [1]. The Haramain High Speed Railway connects Jeddah Airport, Makkah, and Madinah. It is fast, air-conditioned, and affordable. Private taxis and ride-hailing apps also operate on these routes. If you are travelling during peak periods, book train tickets in advance. For more detail, see our transport guide covering the Jeddah-Makkah-Madinah triangle.

This article is correct as of 2026-06-14.

Notes

• [1] GOV.UK, “Foreign Travel Advice: Saudi Arabia Entry Requirements,” gov.uk. Published and accessed 2026-06-14.
• [2] Alharamain Travels, “Umrah Visa Fee UK 2026: Cost, Requirements & Application Guide,” alharamaintravel.co.uk. Published 2026-06-01. Accessed 2026-06-14.