Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has launched a new one-year multiple-entry Umrah visa, giving pilgrims the flexibility to perform Umrah more than once without applying for a fresh visa each time. Announced through the Saudi Press Agency on July 20, 2026, the visa is valid for 365 days from the date of issuance and allows multiple entries, with a cumulative stay of up to 90 days. [1]
This article is correct as of 2026-08-11.
What the new visa covers
The new Umrah visa lets eligible pilgrims visit Saudi Arabia multiple times within a single year. The Ministry confirmed that the visa activates upon the first entry and deactivates when the pilgrim departs. It can then be reactivated for the next visit, provided the pilgrim books a new approved service package and secures an Umrah permit through the Nusuk platform each time. [1] [2]
Each trip still requires an Umrah service package purchased from an approved provider through the Nusuk platform. The package duration cannot exceed the number of days remaining on the visa, and pilgrims must obtain an Umrah permit through Nusuk before arriving in Saudi Arabia. [1]
The visa does not permit travel during the annual Hajj season and cannot be used for tourism or non-Umrah purposes. [2]
The Saudi Press Agency stated the move “aligns with Saudi Vision 2030 and the Pilgrim Experience Program’s goals of facilitating arrival, enriching the pilgrim experience and improving service efficiency.” [1]
“The visa is valid for one year and a person can stay for up to 90 days or divide the stay as they prefer. They can enter any number of times during the year but the total stay is 90 days.” – Shihab Perwad, Rehan Al Jazeera Tours and Travels [2]
Who can apply and what it costs
According to UAE-based Umrah travel agents, most nationalities residing in the UAE are eligible for the new visa. Applications are processed through authorised Umrah travel agencies, and processing typically takes around two working days once all required documents are submitted. [2]
The visa costs approximately Dh600 to Dh650, roughly SAR 600 to SAR 650, depending on the agency. [2]
Documents required include a passport copy, Emirates ID copy (for UAE residents), return flight ticket, hotel booking or voucher, and local transportation details. These are uploaded to the Nusuk platform as part of the application. [2]
Why this matters for DIY Umrah planners
For DIY pilgrims, the one-year multiple-entry visa changes the arithmetic on planning. Instead of applying for a new visa for each Umrah trip, you apply once and can return several times during the year. This cuts both cost and paperwork, especially for anyone who lives in the Gulf region or has the flexibility to travel to Saudi Arabia more than once in a year. [2]
But the flexibility comes with added responsibility. Each journey still needs to be registered on Nusuk with fresh hotel bookings, return tickets, and transport details before travel. The sponsoring travel agency is accountable for ensuring pilgrims follow their approved plan. If a pilgrim overstays or breaks the itinerary, the agency faces fines. [2]
This also means DIY planners cannot simply “show up” for a second visit under the same booking. Every trip needs its own Nusuk package. [2]
How this differs from the tourist eVisa
Saudi Arabia already offers a one-year multiple-entry tourist eVisa through the KSA Visa platform. That visa also allows Umrah, costs roughly SAR 535 (US$143) plus insurance, and permits a 90-day cumulative stay. [3]
The new Umrah-specific visa adds an extra lane for pilgrims who want a dedicated Umrah channel rather than using a tourist visa. Whether the pricing and paperwork are better depends on your nationality and how your travel agency structures the package. Some DIY planners may find the existing tourist eVisa simpler if they are from a country that qualifies for it. Others may prefer the Umrah-specific route because it ties directly to Nusuk service packages. [1] [2]
The key difference: the new Umrah visa is issued under the sponsorship of an authorised Umrah agency, while the tourist eVisa is self-service through the government portal. If you value independence, the tourist eVisa may still be the better choice. If you want the Nusuk package bundled with your visa, the new Umrah visa route is designed for that. [2] [3]
What DIY planners should do right now
- Check your eligibility. Contact an authorised Umrah travel agency or check the Nusuk app to confirm your nationality qualifies for the new visa. [2]
- Compare the costs. The new Umrah visa costs Dh600-650 through an agency. The existing tourist eVisa costs about SAR 535. Factor in agency processing fees and decide which route works better for your situation. [2] [3]
- Plan your visits in advance. If you intend to use the visa more than once, map out your trips so your total stay stays within 90 days. Remember the visa deactivates after each departure and needs reactivation with fresh Nusuk bookings. [1]
- Download the Nusuk app. The app is mandatory for booking Umrah permits and service packages. If you do not have it installed, do it now. [1]
- Do not book flights before your visa and Nusuk package are confirmed. Travel agents stress that every trip requires prior Nusuk approval. Booking a flight first and hoping the rest lines up later is a common and costly mistake. [2]
The bigger picture
This visa is part of Saudi Arabia’s broader push to expand religious tourism. So far in 2026, the Kingdom has welcomed 931,500 pilgrims on Umrah visas, a 22.5 percent increase over the same period in 2025. The top source countries are Pakistan, Indonesia, and Iraq. [1]
The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has signalled that further digital streamlining is coming, with Nusuk positioned as the central platform for all Umrah-related services. For DIY planners, this means the tools are getting better, but the rules are becoming more tightly integrated. Missing a step in the digital chain, whether it is your Nusuk permit, hotel booking, or return ticket, can block your entire trip. [1]
The one-year multiple-entry visa signals a genuine shift. Saudi Arabia expects repeat Umrah visits to become more common, and it is building the infrastructure to handle that at scale. For pilgrims willing to learn the new system, the payoff is less bureaucracy per trip. [1]
Related UmrahDIY guides: Since the new visa requires Nusuk for every entry, make sure you’ve set up the app correctly — see our Nusuk app setup guide. For understanding how this visa compares to the single-entry option, read multiple-entry vs single-entry Umrah visa.
Notes
[1] Euronews, “New Saudi visa lets Umrah pilgrims visit multiple times within a year,” July 21, 2026. https://www.euronews.com/travel/2026/07/21/new-saudi-visa-lets-umrah-pilgrims-visit-multiple-times-within-a-year
[2] Khaleej Times, “Who can apply for Saudi’s new one-year Umrah visa; cost, what pilgrims need to know,” August 2026. https://www.khaleejtimes.com/uae/saudi-arabia-one-year-umrah-visa-who-can-apply-cost-documents
[3] Saudi Tourism Authority, “Tourist eVisa,” via visitsaudi.com. Tourist eVisa cost and 90-day stay confirmed as of August 2026.
