Nusuk Umrah: Your Visa & Packages Explained
Nusuk Umrah is the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah’s official channel for international pilgrims to apply for an Umrah visa and book approved packages. This guide covers the two routes to Umrah, the important 2026 booking rule, costs, requirements, and exactly how to apply.
What is Nusuk Umrah?
Nusuk Umrah (accessible at nusuk.sa and umrah.nusuk.sa) is the official gateway for pilgrims outside Saudi Arabia to arrange their Umrah. Through it — or through a Ministry-approved agent working on the same platform — you apply for your visa and book an approved package covering accommodation, transport, and visa services.
It is part of the wider Nusuk platform. Once your visa is issued and you have a Nusuk account, the Nusuk app is also where you book your timed Umrah permit and your Rawdah reservation in Madinah. In short: Nusuk Umrah gets you into the country; the Nusuk app gets you into the sacred spaces.
“No Booking, No Visa”
The biggest change for 2026 is structural, not a fee. Standalone Umrah visas are no longer accepted for international pilgrims — every Umrah visa must be linked to a verified Nusuk booking, arranged through a Nusuk-approved provider. This is the reason a simple “visa-only” quote no longer reflects the real cost.
Two ways to perform Umrah
Which route fits you depends mainly on your nationality and how much flexibility you want. Both end at the same place — the Grand Mosque — but the paperwork differs.
Umrah visa (via Nusuk / agent)
- Best if your nationality isn’t eligible for the tourist eVisa, or you want the dedicated pilgrimage visa.
- How through a Ministry-approved agent or the Nusuk platform, bundled with the mandatory Nusuk booking.
- Validity single-entry is around 90 days to enter with a stay up to ~30 days; a newer multiple-entry option is valid for one year.
- Scope for pilgrimage travel, focused on Makkah, Madinah, and Jeddah.
Tourist eVisa (independent)
- Best if you hold a passport from one of the 60+ eligible countries, or a valid US, UK, or Schengen visa.
- How apply yourself at visa.visitsaudi.com — usually issued within 24–72 hours.
- Validity one year, multiple entries, up to 90 days per visit — and you can combine Umrah with tourism.
- Note you book your own flights and hotels, then obtain your Umrah permit in the Nusuk app.
Visa vs. Umrah permit
These are two different things, and you need both. A visa alone does not admit you to perform Umrah during managed periods.
Your visa
- What it does grants entry to Saudi Arabia.
- When obtained before you travel — an Umrah visa or a tourist eVisa.
- Where Nusuk / approved agent, or visa.visitsaudi.com.
Your Umrah permit (tasreeh)
- What it does grants access to perform Umrah in the Grand Mosque at a booked time.
- When booked in the Nusuk app once your account is set up.
- Cost free — this is the pilgrimage-access layer on top of your visa.
How to arrange your Umrah on Nusuk
The exact screens vary slightly by route, but the sequence is the same.
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Set up your Nusuk account
Create your account with your passport details, email, and phone. New to the platform? Follow our Nusuk overview & registration guide first.
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Choose your route
Decide between the Umrah-visa package route (through Nusuk or an approved provider) and the tourist eVisa route at visa.visitsaudi.com.
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Select your package and provider
On the Umrah-visa route, pick a package and a Nusuk-approved provider, then confirm your Nusuk-registered hotel booking (with its BRN) and your transport.
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Pay the fees
Settle the government visa fee and mandatory insurance, along with your package cost. Keep your confirmation and booking references safe.
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Receive your e-visa
Your electronic visa is issued to your account and email. Check every detail — name, passport number, and dates — against your passport.
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Book your Umrah permit
In the Nusuk app, book your timed Umrah permit to enter the Grand Mosque — and reserve your Rawdah slot in Madinah while you’re there.
Requirements & vaccinations
- Valid passportUsually with at least six months’ validity beyond your travel dates.
- Personal photoA recent photo meeting the application specification.
- Health insuranceMandatory, and normally included within the visa fee.
- Meningitis vaccine (ACWY)Required for pilgrims — carry the certificate with you.
- Nusuk-registered bookingOn the Umrah-visa route: hotel with a BRN, plus transport.
- Women without a mahramPermitted at any age when travelling as part of a group.
Choosing your season
Any time of year
Umrah can be performed year-round, except during the days of Hajj (Dhul Hijjah 8–13), when the rites are reserved for Hajj pilgrims.
Ramadan — greatest reward
Umrah in Ramadan is immense in reward, but it is the most crowded and expensive time; prices can double or more in the last ten nights.
After Hajj — quietest
The months of Muharram and Safar are typically the calmest and most affordable for a peaceful Umrah.
Book peak dates early
For Ramadan and school holidays, Nusuk hotel allocations and permit slots fill quickly — reserve well ahead.
Umrah visa FAQ
Can I perform Umrah on a tourist visa?
Yes. Holders of eligible tourist eVisas can perform Umrah, but you must also book an Umrah permit in the Nusuk app. The visa grants entry to Saudi Arabia; the Nusuk permit grants access to perform Umrah in the Grand Mosque. Both are required.
Can I get an Umrah visa without booking a package in 2026?
No. Under the 2026 “No Booking, No Visa” rule, an Umrah visa must be linked to a verified Nusuk booking — your hotel, carrying a Booking Reference Number, and your transport through a Nusuk-approved provider. Hotels booked independently on third-party sites are not accepted for the visa.
How much does an Umrah visa cost in 2026?
The government visa fee is around SAR 300, plus mandatory insurance of roughly SAR 100 to 180 — about SAR 400 to 480 before any package or agent charges. Economy Nusuk packages start from around SAR 800 per person. Prices vary by provider, season, and nationality.
What is the difference between the Umrah visa and the Umrah permit?
The visa is your entry document for Saudi Arabia, obtained before you travel. The Umrah permit (tasreeh) is a free, timed booking made in the Nusuk app that grants access to perform Umrah in the Grand Mosque. You need both — a visa alone does not admit you to perform Umrah during managed periods.
Do women need a mahram to perform Umrah?
No. Under current Saudi rules, women of any age may perform Umrah without a male guardian (mahram), provided they travel as part of a group.
Is there a multiple-entry Umrah visa?
Yes. Alongside the traditional single-entry visa, a newer multiple-entry Umrah visa is valid for one year from the date of issue and allows several visits to Saudi Arabia within that period.
When can I perform Umrah?
Umrah can be performed year-round except during the Hajj days (Dhul Hijjah 8 to 13). Ramadan carries the greatest reward but is the most crowded and expensive, with prices often doubling in the last ten nights; the months just after Hajj are the quietest.
Which vaccinations are required for Umrah?
A meningitis (ACWY) vaccination is required for pilgrims, and you should carry the certificate. Check your own country’s specific health requirements before you travel.
Related Nusuk pages
Independent information notice. NewHaj is an independent information resource and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or operated by Nusuk, the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, or Visit Saudi. Visa rules, fees, and requirements change frequently and vary by nationality. For official applications and the most current information, always use the official platforms: nusuk.sa and visa.visitsaudi.com.
Author: NewHaj
NewHaj for Hajj and Umrah Tourism in Saudi Arabia Hotels, Transfers, Aviatickets
2 Comments
NewHaj
Nusuk Umrah: Your Visa & Packages Explained
Everything to reach the Grand Mosque, the compliant way in 2026
Insan Qolbu
Thanks for sharing.