Latest updates from top global and Saudi news sources
Last updated: 13 Sep 2026, 11:08 AM (Saudi time)
Iran has restarted Umrah travel to Saudi Arabia after a six-month halt, sending 18,000 pilgrims in the first phase while about five million voucher holders wait, with flights and foreign currency shaping the pace.
For the 1448 AH Umrah season, Saudi Arabia requires confirmed Nusuk hotel and transport bookings before a visa is issued, cuts entry validity to 30 days, and lets all visa types perform Umrah.
Saudi Arabia has clarified that its new year-long multiple-entry Umrah visa still requires a fresh Nusuk service package and a new permit for every single visit.
The 1448 Umrah season remains open into spring 2027, with visas issued until 9 March and entry until 23 March, offering pilgrims cooler weather after a summer of heat warnings, subject to Nusuk booking rules.
Saudi Arabia's National Center for Meteorology forecasts above-normal temperatures through October 2026, prompting heat-safety guidance for summer Umrah pilgrims in Makkah and Madinah.
More than 70 travel firms representing over three million pilgrims toured Makkah in a Ministry-backed effort to enrich international Umrah packages with cultural and historical experiences.
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