Three updates from Saudi Arabia this week affect DIY Umrah planners directly. The big one is a new one-year multiple-entry Umrah visa for expatriates. Separately, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah launched a pilgrim umbrella design challenge, and the Nusuk platform rolled out new booking methods for Al-Rawdah Al-Sharif visits. Here is what changed, when, and what it means for your next trip. [1] [2] [3]
One-year multiple-entry Umrah visa: the details
Saudi Arabia has introduced a new multiple-entry Umrah visa for expatriates. The visa is valid for 365 days from the date of issuance and allows the holder to enter and exit the Kingdom multiple times. The total cumulative stay across all visits cannot exceed 90 days. [1]
The key restriction: this visa is not valid during the annual Hajj season. If you plan to visit during Dhul-Hijjah, you will need a separate Hajj permit. [1]
Application for this visa starts through the Nusuk platform. Travellers must first book an approved Umrah service package, after which the visa can be processed. This is the same Nusuk-first model Saudi Arabia has been rolling out for its newer visa products. The service package requirement means you cannot just show up with a flight booking and hotel reservation. [1]
This visa is specifically for expatriates, meaning foreign nationals living outside Saudi Arabia who qualify under Saudi visa regulations. It is not a tourist visa and it is not the same as the 90-day tourist eVisa that has been available since 2019 through visitsaudi.com. If you already hold a tourist eVisa or are eligible for the visa-on-arrival programme, this new product does not replace those options. It is an additional lane for expatriates who want a dedicated Umrah pathway with multiple entries. [1]
For expatriates who do Umrah more than once a year, this eliminates the need to apply for a new visa every single trip. One application, one year, multiple visits, as long as the 90-day cumulative cap is respected.
What the new visa means for DIY planners
The practical impact for independent travellers is a reduction in paperwork and processing time. Instead of applying for a fresh visa for each Umrah trip, you apply once and reuse it across multiple visits within the calendar year. For someone who does a Ramadan Umrah, a summer trip with family, and a short visit during the cooler months, that is three separate applications reduced to one. [1]
However, the 90-day cumulative limit is firm. If you spend 30 days on your first trip, you have 60 days left across all remaining visits. The clock does not reset between entries. It is a cumulative cap, not a per-trip limit. You will need to track your total days carefully if you plan to use the visa heavily. [1]
For now, this visa requires booking through Nusuk, which means going through an approved service package. This is not a do-it-entirely-yourself visa. If you were hoping to book flights and hotels independently under this visa, you will still need to route through Nusuk for the package requirement. The package typically bundles accommodation and transport. Check what the minimum package cost looks like before committing. [1]
The Saudi Gazette also reported that the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah recently approved evaluation results for international pilgrim service providers for the 2026 Hajj season. While that is a Hajj-specific update, it signals continued tightening of service-provider standards, which may eventually carry over to Umrah package providers on Nusuk. [1]
Nusuk adds instant booking and waitlist for Rawdah visits
The Nusuk platform has added two new booking methods for Al-Rawdah Al-Sharif visits at the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah. The first is an instant booking feature that allows pilgrims to secure a visit slot throughout the year, subject to capacity. The second is a waitlist system that kicks in when no immediate slots are available. [2]
This is a meaningful improvement for DIY planners. Previously, Rawdah slots were released in batches on a fixed schedule and disappeared within minutes. The instant booking feature means you can check availability and book as soon as you know your Madinah dates, instead of waiting for a release window. The waitlist gives you a fallback option. You join the queue, and when someone ahead of you cancels, the slot opens. It is a small change but it removes the frantic-10-am-refresh ritual that Nusuk users know too well. [2]
One practical tip: Madinah hotel dates are still the trigger for Rawdah eligibility. Do not book a Rawdah slot before your accommodation is confirmed on Nusuk, or the system will not let you proceed. [2]
Pilgrim umbrella design challenge
On a lighter but practical note, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah launched the “Innovate the Best Umbrella for Pilgrims” challenge on August 4, 2026. The goal is straightforward: find better umbrella designs that protect pilgrims from the sun, are easy to carry and use, improve safety, and are efficient to produce and maintain. [3]
Anyone who has done tawaf under a midday Makkah sun knows why this matters. Current umbrellas are heavy, catch wind in crowded areas, and often break after a few days. For older pilgrims and those travelling during the hotter months (May through September), a lightweight, wind-resistant umbrella would make a real difference in physical comfort during the outdoor portions of Umrah. [3]
The ministry has not announced a timeline for review or production, but the challenge itself suggests that improved umbrellas may reach the market within the next year. If you are travelling this summer, bring what you have. If you are planning for late 2026 or 2027, there is a chance better options will be available at shops near the Haram by then. [3]
What DIY planners should do right now
- If you are an expatriate planning multiple Umrah trips over the next 12 months, hold off on visa applications until the new multiple-entry product appears on Nusuk. The old single-entry route will still work, but you will pay more in total if you need multiple visas. [1]
- When booking a Rawdah visit, check Nusuk immediately after your Madinah hotel dates are confirmed. Use the instant booking feature first. If no slots are available, join the waitlist. Do not skip this step. [2]
- If you are travelling during peak summer months, pack your own lightweight umbrella for now. Keep an eye on the design competition results. Winners and prototypes may become available for purchase before the next hot season. [3]
- If you are not an expatriate and this visa does not apply to you, none of the other options have changed. The tourist eVisa, visa-on-arrival, and traditional Umrah visa routes remain available. [1]
Related UmrahDIY guides: For choosing between visa types, see our multiple-entry vs single-entry visa comparison. For the document requirements, read our Umrah visa documents checklist.
Notes
[1] The Times of India, “Saudi Arabia’s one-year multiple-entry Umrah visa explained: 90-day stay, eligibility and how to apply,” August 5, 2026. Also reported by KPMG GMS Flash Alert 2026-197 and Saudi Gazette, “Hajj Ministry approves evaluation results of international pilgrim service providers for 2026 Hajj season.”
[2] The Gulf Observer, “Nusuk platform introduces new booking methods for Al-Rawdah Al-Sharif visits at Prophet’s Mosque,” July 30, 2026.
[3] The Islamic Information, “Ministry of Hajj and Umrah launches contest for best pilgrim umbrella,” August 4, 2026.
This article is correct as of 2026-08-05.
