This article is correct as of 2026-07-28.
Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has launched a new multiple-entry Umrah visa, valid for a full year from the date of issuance. It is the first time a dedicated Umrah visa allows pilgrims to enter the Kingdom several times without reapplying. [1]
The announcement, made via the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) on July 20, 2026, confirms the visa is already active. For DIY Umrah planners who book their own flights, hotels, and visas, this is one of the biggest procedural changes in years. [1][2]
What the New Rules Actually Say
The multiple-entry Umrah visa has three core parameters: [1][3]
- Valid for 365 days from the date of issuance [1]
- Allows multiple entries into Saudi Arabia during that year [1]
- Cumulative stay across all visits cannot exceed 90 days [1][3]
- The visa is not valid during the Hajj season, from the first of Dhu Al-Qi’dah to the 13th of Dhu Al-Hijjah each year [1]
For each visit, you must purchase a service package from an approved provider through the Nusuk platform and obtain an Umrah permit before entering the Kingdom. [1][4]
The Nusuk app is mandatory for the 2026 pilgrimage cycle. Every pilgrim, including repeat visitors on the same visa, needs a current permit linked to their booked services. [4]
One visa, one year, up to 90 days, but you still need a fresh Nusuk permit for every trip.
Why This Matters for DIY Umrah Planners
The old system required a new visa application for every Umrah trip. For someone who goes twice a year, say, once in Ramadan and once outside peak season, this meant paying two visa fees, filling two application forms, and waiting through two processing windows. [5]
The new visa collapses this into a single application. If you know you will visit at least twice within the next 12 months, the time and administrative savings are real. The visa remains valid for 365 days whether you use it once or five times, as long as your total days inside Saudi Arabia stay under 90. [1][3]
There is no announced change to visa pricing yet as of July 28, 2026. The Ministry’s SPA statement did not include fee details. Previous single-entry Umrah visas typically cost SAR 300 to SAR 500 (USD 80 to USD 133) depending on the applicant’s country and processing channel. If the new multiple-entry visa is priced comparably or only slightly higher, it is a clear win for frequent visitors. [5][6]
The Nusuk Requirement, Same Platform, Same Rule
Some coverage of the new visa makes it sound like the Nusuk requirement is a new rule. It is not. Nusuk has been the mandatory booking and permit platform for Umrah since 2023, and it remains mandatory in 2026. [4]
What is new is the workflow for repeat visitors. If you return three times in one year on the same visa, you will need three separate Nusuk service packages and three separate Umrah permits. Each booking is independent, previous permits do not carry over, and you cannot reuse an old package. [4]
For DIY planners buying their own flights and hotels separately, the Nusuk package is still required even if you do not use the bundled hotel. Think of it as a service fee attached to the permit, not a full travel package. You can book your own accommodation, but the Nusuk booking step cannot be skipped. [4]
Hajj Season Restriction, What It Means in Practice
The visa is explicitly blocked during the Hajj season, which runs from the first of Dhu Al-Qi’dah to the 13th of Dhu Al-Hijjah. In 2026, this corresponds to roughly mid-July to early August. [1]
In practice, this means: [1][3]
- You cannot use this visa to enter Saudi Arabia during those dates at all [1]
- If you are already inside the Kingdom on a valid stay when the Hajj season begins, your existing entry remains valid, but you cannot re-enter if you leave [1]
- This restriction applies every year, not just 2026, it is a permanent rule linked to the Islamic calendar [1]
For most DIY Umrah planners, this is not a problem. Umrah traffic naturally drops during Hajj, and flights and hotels near Makkah are scarce and expensive anyway. The only group it affects is pilgrims who try to book a late-Shawwal or early-Dhu Al-Qi’dah trip, those sitting right on the boundary should check the calendar dates before booking flights. [5]
Post-Hajj Umrah Visas Now Available
Separately, the Ministry has begun issuing Umrah visas for the post-Hajj 2026 season. This is the standard annual reset: after Hajj concludes, the Umrah system reopens for the new Islamic year. [1]
If you were waiting to apply for a standard single-entry Umrah visa, the window is now open. If you are eligible for the multiple-entry option, you can apply for that instead, the same application channels (Nusuk platform, approved Saudi visa agencies, and Saudi embassies) handle both types. [6]
Processing times remain roughly 24 to 72 hours for most nationalities through the Nusuk digital channel, though this can vary by country and peak demand periods. [6]
What DIY Planners Should Do Right Now
- If you have an existing single-entry Umrah visa that is still valid, use it. The new visa does not replace existing valid visas, and there is no announced conversion path. [5]
- If you are planning multiple Umrah trips in 2026-2027, wait for confirmed pricing on the new multiple-entry visa before applying. If it is priced at SAR 600 or less, it almost certainly beats two separate applications. If it is SAR 800+ and you only plan to go once, a standard single-entry visa may be cheaper. [5][6]
- If you are booking for Dhu Al-Qi’dah or early Dhu Al-Hijjah, check the exact Hajj season dates for that year. The new visa cannot be used for entry during those windows. [1]
- Install the Nusuk app now if you do not already have it, regardless of which visa type you use, you will need the app to book packages and obtain permits. [4]
- Watch the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah social channels for fee announcements. The SPA announcement did not include pricing, and that is the single biggest remaining question for DIY budget planners. [6]
The Bigger Picture
This visa is part of Saudi Arabia’s broader push to make Umrah more accessible year-round, rather than concentrated in Ramadan and school holidays. A multi-entry permit reduces administrative friction for frequent visitors, which aligns with the country’s Vision 2030 tourism targets. [2]
For the DIY community specifically, the benefit is straightforward: fewer applications, shorter planning cycles for return trips, and one visa fee instead of several. The Nusuk requirement stays the same, the Hajj blackout window stays the same, and the 90-day cumulative limit is more than generous for Umrah visits that typically last 7 to 14 days each. [5]
Related UmrahDIY guides: For understanding Nusuk, see our Nusuk app setup and first booking guide. For visa requirements, read documents required for Umrah visa application.
Notes
[1] Saudi Press Agency, “Hajj Ministry Launches Multiple-Entry Umrah Visa Valid for One Year,” July 20, 2026. https://www.spa.gov.sa/en/N2637600
[2] The National, “Saudi Arabia Introduces One-Year Multiple-Entry Umrah Visa,” July 20, 2026. https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/gulf/2026/07/20/saudi-arabia-introduces-one-year-multiple-entry-umrah-visa/
[3] AGBI, “Saudi Arabia Launches Multiple-Entry Umrah Visa,” July 2026. https://www.agbi.com/tourism/2026/07/saudi-arabia-launches-multiple-entry-umrah-visa/
[4] Wego Travel Blog, “Saudi Arabia’s New Multiple-Entry Umrah Visa 2026: A Complete Guide,” 2026. https://blog.wego.com/multiple-entry-umrah-visa/
[5] Based on established UmrahDIY knowledge of single-entry visa costs and typical Umrah trip durations. Ministry pricing for the new visa had not been announced as of July 28, 2026.
[6] Bedinroom, “Multiple-Entry Umrah Visa 2026: How the 90-Day Balance Works,” July 2026. https://www.bedinroom.com/en/blog/multiple-entry-umrah-visa-2026-how-the-90-day-balance-actually-works-0473
