Umrah Visa Requirements for US Citizens [Latest 2026 Guide]

If you live in the United States and dream of standing in front of the Kaaba this year, there is one thing that can stop you before you even buy a ticket: confusion about the Umrah Visa from USA. You search online and see many terms at once – tourist e-visa, visa on arrival, Umrah visa through agencies, new 2026 rules, stay limits, fines for overstaying. 

In 2026, most U.S. citizens can travel for Umrah with a tourist visa (e-visa or on arrival) or a visa arranged by an authorized Umrah travel company. You need a valid passport, a clear digital photo, confirmed flight and hotel bookings, and you must follow the stay limit of up to 90 days. If you respect these rules and avoid overstaying, you can use that visa for Umrah, tourism, and visiting family in Saudi Arabia.

This guide breaks down all the Umrah visa requirements for US citizens in clear, step-by-step instructions. You will learn which visa to use, what documents you need, and how to apply.

How Does the Umrah Visa from USA Work in 2026?

First, a key fact from the US government:

“U.S. citizens visiting from outside Saudi Arabia can perform Umrah on a tourist or Umrah visa, Hajj can only be performed on a Hajj visa.”

So in 2026, you are not limited to one special “Umrah only” visa. You can usually choose between:

1. Tourist e-Visa – applied for online, often the easiest option.
2. Visa on arrival – for eligible US citizens who meet certain conditions.
3. Agency-handled Umrah visa – where an Umrah travel company builds your package and arranges your visa through official Saudi systems.

For most US citizens, the tourist e-visa is the main path. Official Saudi tourism guidance says this visa is usually:

• Valid for one year.
• Multiple entry, and
• Allows stays of up to 90 days per visit.

This visa can be used for tourism, visiting family, and performing Umrah (but not Hajj).

At the same time, Saudi Arabia has tightened rules for dedicated Umrah visas. Recent updates show that some Umrah-specific visas now have shorter validity (around 30 days) and stricter entry and exit windows, especially before Hajj.

Because of this mix of options, many US pilgrims either:

• Use a tourist e-visa and plan Umrah plus some tourism, or
• Book Umrah packages from the USA through an agency like One More Holiday, which knows which visa type works best for your dates.

Visa Options for US Citizens: Which Path Fits You?

Option 1: Tourist e-Visa (Most Common Choice)

The tourist e-visa is a digital visa you apply for online before you travel.

According to official Saudi sources and major airlines:

• It is usually valid for 1 year from the date of issue.
• It is generally multiple-entry. You can enter and leave several times during the year.
• You can stay up to 90 days per trip.
• It allows tourism, family visits, and Umrah, but not Hajj.
  

This is why many US travellers treat it as their practical “Umrah Visa from USA”. It gives enough time to perform Umrah calmly, visit Madinah, and spend some extra days with family or sightseeing.

You apply on the official Saudi e-visa/Visit Saudi Arabia website, upload your passport details and a digital photo, pay the fee, and receive the visa by email.

Option 2: Visa on Arrival

US citizens who meet certain conditions, for example, holding a validcan often get a tourist visa on arrival in Saudi Arabia.

In practice, this visa usually has similar benefits to the tourist e-visa:

• Short-term stay (up to about 90 days).
• Often valid up to 1 year.
• Can be used for tourism and Umrah (not Hajj).

Most first-time US pilgrims still prefer to secure the e-visa in advance so they are not worried about surprises at the airport.

Option 3: Agency-Handled Umrah Visa

Some US pilgrims still want a classic Umrah visa or a fully managed route. In that case, they book with a licensed Umrah travel company that:

• Builds a package including flights, hotels, and ground transport.
• Handles visa formalities through official Saudi channels.
• Tracks changing Umrah visa validity and entry dates for each season.

This is common for:

• Older parents or families who want help with every step.
• Pilgrims who prefer all inclusive umrah packages with fixed hotels near the Haramain and group transport.
  

Because Saudi Arabia now links Umrah visas to confirmed hotel and transport bookings in official systems, agencies play a big role in making sure the data is correct and aligned with your travel dates.

Key 2026 Requirements for US Citizens

No matter which path you choose, the core 2026 requirements for an Umrah-purpose trip from the USA are similar.

• Valid Passport
• Your US passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your date of entry into Saudi Arabia.
• It must have enough blank pages for visas and entry stamps.

If your passport is close to expiry, renew it before you start any Umrah Visa from USA application.

Digital Photo and Online Application

For e-visa and many agency applications, you need:

• A recent passport-style photo with a light or white background.
• A completed online form where you enter your passport details, home address, and travel dates.

All documents for an e-visa must be submitted in digital format. You upload scans or clear images; you do not mail paper forms.

Flights, Hotels, and (Often) Transport

Saudi Arabia has made Umrah more organised. Recent rules say that, for many Umrah-focused visas, you must pre-book and show:

• A round-trip flight.
• Proof of accommodation (hotel bookings in Makkah and Madinah).
• In many cases, ground transport bookings are as well.

This is to manage crowds, prevent fake bookings, and keep pilgrim flows under control, especially before Hajj.

Even for the tourist e-visa, you are normally asked to provide where you will stay during your trip.

Vaccinations and Health

Health rules change, but you should expect at least:

• A meningitis (ACWY) vaccination requirement for pilgrims.
• COVID-19 rules have eased in many places, but Saudi Arabia can reintroduce vaccination or PCR test rules if needed.

Because these rules are updated often, always check:

• Current health guidance from the Saudi Ministry of Health / official tourism channels, and
• The US Department of State’s Saudi Arabia and Hajj/Umrah pages before you travel.

Rules for Women, Families, and Children

Saudi rules for women and families have become more flexible in recent years.

• Women and mahram: official guidance now confirms that women can perform Umrah on a tourist or Umrah visa without a mahram in many cases, as long as they meet general entry rules.
• Some traditional group packages and some travel companies may still ask for a consent letter or mahram arrangement, especially for younger women, so always check with your chosen Umrah Travel Company.

For children:

• Minors usually cannot travel alone. They must travel with a parent or legal guardian.
• Children need their own passport and visa, but they can be included in the same online application or package booking as their parents.

There is normally no strict upper age limit for Umrah visas, but older pilgrims should consider their health and may be asked for medical clearance in some cases.

How Long Can You Stay – and What If You Overstay?

Here you must be very careful.

For tourist e-visas used for Umrah:

• The visa is usually valid for 1 year.
• You can stay up to 90 days per visit.
• It is normally a multiple-entry visa.

For some dedicated Umrah visas, reports from 2025 say:

• Visa validity from the date of issue may be as short as one month,
• Unused visas can be cancelled if not used within that period.
• Entry and exit deadlines around Hajj are sometimes very strict.

In all cases, you must not overstay. Overstaying a Saudi visa can lead to:

• Large fines,
• Problems with future visas or re-entry,
• Possible deportation.

So when you plan your Umrah trip from the USA, always:

• Check the exact expiry date on your visa (note that Saudi Arabia often uses the Hijri calendar).
• Leave well before your last legal day.

How to Apply for an Umrah Visa from USA?

You can handle your Umrah-purpose visa in two main ways.

A. Applying Yourself for a Tourist e-Visa

This path suits you if you are comfortable online.

1. Check your passport

Make sure it has 6+ months of validity beyond your planned entry date and is undamaged.

2. Plan your dates and rough itinerary

Decide when to travel, how many days in Makkah and Madinah, and whether you will visit other cities.

3. Book flights and hotels

Book a round-trip ticket and accommodation at least for your first night. Recent rules push for confirmed hotel bookings and sometimes transport before visa approval, especially in Umthe rah season.

4. Go to the official Saudi e-visa / Visit Saudi portal

Create an account, fill out the online form, and upload your:

• Passport scan,
• Digital photo,
• Basic contact details and travel information.

5. Pay the fee online

Pay using a debit or credit card. The fee usually covers the visa plus basic medical insurance.

6. Wait for approval and receive your e-visa by email

Many e-visas are processed quickly (sometimes within a day), but you should still apply at least a couple of weeks before travel, and even earlier for Ramadan.

7. Print the visa and keep a digital copy

Carry it with your passport and documents when you travel.

B. Using an Umrah Travel Company (Guided Path)

If you do not want to deal with forms and bookings alone, you can work with an experienced Umrah Travel Company in the USA, such as One More Holiday.

Typical process:

1. You contact the company and share your city, dates, and budget.
2. We show you all-inclusive umrah packages from the USA that include flights, hotels, airport transfers, sometimes meals, and ziyarat tours.
3. You choose one package.
4. You send your passport copy, photo, and any needed health or family papers.
5. We:
   • Book the hotels and transport that meet the 2026 Umrah rules,
   • Submits the visa application through official Saudi systems,
   • Tracks deadlines, entry windows, and any special date limits before Hajj.
6. You receive your visa and final itinerary, and you can focus on your ibadah and packing.

This route is popular with:

• Families with young children or elderly parents.
• People who feel nervous about making a mistake online.
• Pilgrims who want clear pricing and support if flights or rules change.

Common Mistakes That Delay or Damage Umrah Visa Applications

US travellers often face delays for avoidable reasons, such as:

• Passport not valid long enough – less than 6 months of validity at time of entry.
• Missing or blurry documents – low-quality passport scans or photos that do not meet requirements.
• Booking non-refundable flights before checking visa rules – especially close to Hajj or Ramadan cut-off dates.
• Using outdated advice – for example, assuming old 30-day rules or thinking you can get a “visa only” without linked bookings, even though newer rules require hotel and often transport pre-booking.
• Working with unlicensed agents can lead to rejected applications, fake bookings, or even scams.

You can avoid most of these by:

• Applying early,
• Double-checking your passport and documents,
• Following current official guides, and
• Using a reputable Umrah Travel Company, if you want help.

Final Thought

The Umrah Visa from the USA in 2026 is not meant to scare you. It is a set of clear steps: a valid passport, the right visa type, proper bookings, and respect for your visa dates.If you keep your information updated and, when needed, work with a reliable Umrah Travel Company, you can move past the paperwork and focus on what really matters: making sincere du‘a that Allah accepts your Umrah.