Saudi Arabia Visa Tracks for Pilgrims

General Requirements (Both Visas)

• Passport: Must be valid for at least 6 months from your travel date and contain at least two blank pages.
• Photos: Two recent passport-sized color photographs with a pure white background.
• Religious Affiliation: Applicants must be practicing Muslims to enter the holy sites of Makkah and Madinah.
• Biometrics: Mandatory biometric enrollment completed via official smartphone apps like Bio-Saudi or Nusuk before submission.

Umrah Visa Requirements

The Umrah visa can be obtained electronically throughout the year (except during the peak Hajj season).

• Application Platform: Must be processed directly through an approved agency or via the official Saudi Nusuk Platform.
• Flight Tickets: Confirmed, non-refundable round-trip flight bookings.
• Accommodation: Pre-booked and confirmed hotel reservations in both Makkah and Madinah.
• Medical Insurance: Mandatory medical insurance covering COVID-19 and emergencies (typically bundled automatically into the visa application fee).
• Health Requirements: A valid vaccination certificate against Meningococcal Meningitis (ACYW) is mandatory at least 10 days before arrival.
• Age & Gender Rules (Mahram): Women under 45 generally require a Mahram (male guardian) with official proof of relationship (marriage or birth certificate). Women over 45 may travel without a Mahram if they join an authorized group tour and submit a notarized No-Objection Certificate (NOC).

Hajj Visa Requirements

Hajj visas are highly restricted, quota-based, and valid exclusively for the duration of the Hajj rituals. You cannot perform Hajj on a standard Umrah or tourist visa.

• Official Allocation: You must register and secure a slot through your country’s Ministry of Religious Affairs or the official Saudi Nusuk Hajj platform.
• Licensed Packages: You must purchase an all-inclusive package through a Saudi-accredited Hajj operator covering local field services, transport, and Mina/Arafat tents.
• Stricter Health Screenings: Mandatory Meningococcal Meningitis vaccine. Proof of Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) or Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV) depending on your home country's regulations. General physical fitness check to certify you can handle the strenuous environment.
• Mahram Guidelines: Similar to Umrah, women under 45 must register alongside an immediate male relative.