Saudi Arabia launches ETA for UK citizens, valid for Umrah
Saudi Arabia has launched an Electronic Travel Authorization for UK citizens allowing multiple entries and stays of up to 180 days, and it can be used for Umrah outside the Hajj season.
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Last updated: 25 Jul 2026, 6:53 PM (Saudi time)
Saudi Arabia has launched an Electronic Travel Authorization for UK citizens allowing multiple entries and stays of up to 180 days, and it can be used for Umrah outside the Hajj season.
The first group of 250 pilgrims under the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques' Guests Program has performed Umrah in Makkah after visiting Madinah. King Salman is hosting 1,000 Umrah performers from 16 countries this year at his own expense.
The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah says its Nusuk Care centers operate around the clock in Makkah, Madinah, Jeddah and the holy sites, offering multilingual help with lost pilgrims, complaints, missing persons and the Nusuk and Tawakkalna apps.
The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah says its Nusuk platform has passed 51 million users across 190-plus countries, offering more than 130 digital services and the mandatory Nusuk smart ID card.
Umrah pilgrims in 2026 must meet Saudi vaccination requirements, led by the mandatory meningococcal ACWY vaccine, with polio and yellow fever shots required for travellers from certain countries. Health advisers urge starting preparations six to eight weeks before travel.
The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has released a digital Umrah and Visit Guide in sixteen languages on haj.gov.sa, offering step-by-step instructions, interactive maps and links to official services for pilgrims.
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