Umrah Entry Visa Validity Cut to 30 Days Under New Rules
Saudi Arabia has cut the Umrah entry visa validity from three months to 30 days, while requiring verified Nusuk hotel bookings before a visa is issued.
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Last updated: 18 Jun 2026, 7:06 PM (Saudi time)
Saudi Arabia has cut the Umrah entry visa validity from three months to 30 days, while requiring verified Nusuk hotel bookings before a visa is issued.
Saudi Arabia's General Authority for Statistics confirmed 1,707,301 pilgrims performed Hajj 2026, with detailed breakdowns by origin, entry point and gender.
The Royal Commission for Makkah City and Holy Sites has awarded six development sites worth an estimated SAR 13.3 billion, including two major Hindawiyah projects near the Grand Mosque.
Indonesia has begun planning its 2027 and 2028 Hajj seasons early, with the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah flagging rising aviation fuel prices as a key threat to pilgrim costs.
Saudi Arabia has made staff training a prerequisite for Hajj visas and permits in 2027, alongside a mandatory integrated service model and a defined contracting timetable for providers.
Saudi and national health authorities have restated that the quadrivalent meningitis vaccine and seasonal flu vaccine are mandatory for Hajj 1448 AH pilgrims, alongside medical fitness declarations.
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