The Saudi Umrah visa is now valid for entry within 30 days from the date it’s issued. Once you’ve entered the Kingdom, you can stay for up to 90 days to complete your pilgrimage and visit Madinah. The change, which came into effect in November 2025, is part of Saudi Arabia’s ongoing effort to manage the growing number of pilgrims and create a more comfortable, structured experience for every visitor.
For UK pilgrims preparing to travel in 2025 and beyond, understanding these new Umrah visa rules matters. A visa that was once valid for 3 months before travel is now limited to a single month. It doesn’t change the spiritual meaning of your journey, but it does change how you plan it. At One More Holiday, we guide every step, from application to arrival. Our role is to make the process of obtaining your Umrah visit visa effortless, timed perfectly to your flight, and fully compliant with Saudi Arabia’s latest system.
An Umrah visa is a short-term entry permit granted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Muslims who wish to perform the minor pilgrimage. It allows entry to Makkah and Madinah, but it doesn’t permit work or long-term stay.
Previously, travellers had 90 days from the visa issue date to enter Saudi Arabia. That meant flexibility, but it also meant congestion. Millions of visas could overlap during peak months, putting pressure on flights, hotels, and transport.
Now, the entry validity has been shortened to 30 days, while the stay duration remains the same, 90 days once inside.
This adjustment is part of a broader reform led by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, aimed at improving planning, reducing last-minute rushes, and enhancing the pilgrim experience from start to finish.
|
Visa Element |
Old Policy |
New Policy (2025) |
|
Entry Validity |
90 days from issue |
30 days from issue |
|
Latest Entry Deadline |
Within 90 days |
Within 30 days |
|
Stay Duration |
Up to 90 days |
Unchanged (90 days) |
|
Automatic Cancellation |
After 90 days |
After 30 days if unused |
|
Objective |
Flexible scheduling |
Efficient pilgrim management |
Saudi authorities confirmed these changes to regulate arrivals and improve coordination across the country’s two main holy cities. The shorter entry period ensures that every visa issued corresponds with an actual, scheduled trip, not an uncertain plan.
It also helps the government better manage accommodation and transport availability, especially during high-demand months.
Saudi Arabia’s decision wasn’t arbitrary. It’s part of a national plan under Vision 2030, which seeks to modernise and digitalise religious tourism.
The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah introduced new digital systems to streamline the process. These platforms connect hotels, transport providers, and government databases, ensuring every visitor’s journey is verified and coordinated in real time.
By tightening the entry window, the authorities can:
For UK travellers, this simply means planning matters more than ever, and that’s where One More Holiday steps in.
Planning Umrah under the new system requires better timing, but the process remains straightforward when handled through a trusted agent.
Choose your preferred Umrah package, 3-star, 4-star, or 5-star, and confirm your travel window. Our consultants will ensure your visa application aligns perfectly with your planned departure.
Provide a valid passport, passport-sized photos, vaccination proof, and any required supporting documents. We submit your application through authorised Saudi channels.
Once approved, your 30-day entry period begins from the date of issuance. We’ll immediately confirm your travel schedule and bookings to ensure full compliance.
You must enter Saudi Arabia within 30 days. We’ll coordinate your flight, hotel check-in, and transfers so there’s no last-minute pressure.
Once inside, you’re free to stay up to 90 days, plenty of time to perform your pilgrimage, reflect, and visit Madinah before returning home.
Whether you apply directly or choose to apply umrah visa online through us, we make sure each stage meets official timing and documentation standards.
For years, UK pilgrims could apply early, take their time to prepare, and travel whenever they wished within three months. Now, planning requires precision.
If your visa is issued on 1 June, your deadline to enter is 30 June. After that, the visa expires automatically.
At One More Holiday, our job is to make sure this new Umrah Visa rule never disrupts your plans. We time every step carefully, issuing your visa at the right moment so you can travel comfortably within the 30-day entry window.
The good news is that once you arrive, the stay duration hasn’t changed. You’ll still have three full months to complete your Umrah and explore the holy sites at your own pace.
You can now perform Umrah through three visa pathways, depending on your circumstances:
|
Visa Type |
Purpose |
Ideal For |
|
Umrah Visa |
Granted through authorised agencies. |
Travellers focused purely on pilgrimage. |
|
Tourist E-Visa |
Standard visit visa that allows Umrah outside the Hajj season. |
Visitors combining tourism and Umrah. |
|
Electronic Visa Waiver (EVW) |
Available for British passport holders for short visits. |
Travellers seeking flexibility or quick approval. |
Our advisors will guide you through each option, ensuring your visa type matches your purpose and travel period.
You can verify your visa status directly through the official Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs website: visa.mofa.gov.sa.
It’s simple, fast, and ensures your travel timeline stays accurate.
A few small details can make all the difference:
With proper guidance, none of these becomes an obstacle.
We combine travel experience with deep respect for the spiritual nature of Umrah. Our role is not just to book, but to prepare, support, and accompany you through every step.
When the logistics are right, the journey feels lighter.
Saudi Arabia’s new visa structure reflects its broader ambition to create an efficient, transparent, and welcoming pilgrimage system for millions of Muslims around the world. It’s no longer about having endless time to plan. It’s about moving with intention.
By giving each pilgrim a fixed entry period, the Kingdom ensures that every visa represents a real, active journey, not an unused slot in a crowded system.
For you as a traveller, that means a simpler process, faster approvals, and less uncertainty.
The 2025 changes to the Umrah visa rule mark a new chapter in how pilgrims plan their journey. The heart of the experience, the prayer, the reflection, the closeness, remains untouched. Only the framework has evolved.
If your visa is timed well, the process is effortless. You enter within your 30-day window, stay for up to 90 days, and perform Umrah without stress or delay.
At One More Holiday, we make that timing work perfectly. We ensure your visa, bookings, and transfers align so your pilgrimage feels as it should: peaceful, organised, and entirely focused on faith. Whether you’re applying for a new visa, renewing plans, or exploring the process of umrah visa online, our team ensures that every step honours both your faith and your time.
When travel is planned with clarity, faith finds its own rhythm.
References
https://www.khaleejtimes.com/world/gulf/saudi-arabia-umrah-visa-changes-november-2025
https://soulofsaudi.com/one-month-validity-for-umrah-visa/
https://unb.com.bd/category/World/saudi-arabia-set-to-shorten-umrah-visa-validity/171937
https://www.khaleejtimes.com/world/gulf/umrah-changes-visa-rules-2025
