Planning to perform Umrah more than once in a year? A new Saudi Arabia rule could affect your travel plans.
Saudi Arabia has clarified the rules for its multiple-entry Umrah visa.
Even if your visa is valid for one year, you cannot simply use the same visa to perform Umrah again and again without completing additional formalities.
Before every new trip, pilgrims will need to arrange a service package and obtain a fresh Umrah permit.
New Permit Required Before Every Umrah Trip
According to the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, pilgrims using the multiple-entry Umrah visa must book an Umrah package through a service provider registered on the Nusuk platform.
The package must match the dates of the planned trip.
After booking the package, pilgrims must also obtain a new Umrah permit through the Nusuk app before travelling to Saudi Arabia.
The dates on the permit must match the dates of the booked service package.
This means that simply having a valid multiple-entry visa will not be enough for another Umrah trip.
Visa Valid for One Year, But There Is a Stay Limit
The multiple-entry Umrah visa is valid for 365 days from the date it is issued.
This allows eligible travellers to visit Saudi Arabia multiple times during the visa’s validity period.
However, there is an important restriction.
The total stay in Saudi Arabia across all visits cannot exceed 90 days.
So, a one-year visa does not mean that pilgrims can stay in the country for the entire year.
What First-Time Applicants Need to Do
For a first Umrah trip, travellers must first purchase an authorised service package through the Nusuk platform.
They can then proceed with the visa application and complete the required checks and formalities.
Travellers must also follow all Saudi Arabian entry and travel requirements.
Why Has Saudi Arabia Introduced This Rule?
The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah says the new arrangement is aimed at improving the management of services for pilgrims.
By linking each trip to a specific service package and permit, authorities can better manage accommodation, transportation and other arrangements.
For people planning multiple Umrah trips, the key point is simple: a valid one-year multiple-entry visa alone is not enough.
Before every trip, make sure you have the required service package and a fresh Umrah permit through Nusuk.
