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Last updated: 27 Jul 2026, 6:55 PM (Saudi time)
King Salman has begun hosting 1,000 Umrah pilgrims worldwide at his personal expense, with the first of four phases welcoming 250 pilgrims from 16 Asian countries under the royal guest program.
With the 1448 AH Umrah season running through peak summer, authorities urge pilgrims to guard against extreme Makkah heat now topping 42C, using cooler worship windows, hydration and the Grand Mosque's cooling systems.
Turkish Airlines is offering round-trip Umrah fares from the United States starting at USD 799, with bookings open July 1 to August 16, 2026, for travel between September and November.
The Umrah 1448 AH season runs from 31 May 2026, with visa issuance closing 9 March 2027, final entry on 23 March, and departure by 7 April 2027, all tied to mandatory Nusuk bookings.
Umrah visa rules for the 1448 AH season now cut entry validity to 30 days, require confirmed Nusuk hotel and transport bookings before a visa is issued, and make Nusuk registration mandatory for all pilgrims.
Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has suspended 21 Umrah service companies for poor performance and regulatory breaches, underscoring tighter oversight of the sector.
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