Saudi Arabia's one-year multiple-entry Umrah visa is reshaping how pilgrims from around the world plan repeat visits to Makkah, but the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has stressed that a year of validity does not remove the need to book a package and obtain a permit for every single trip. The visa, introduced in mid-2026, has been highlighted again by ministry officials as a centrepiece of efforts to make Umrah more flexible.
The measure fits a broader push under Saudi Vision 2030 to grow Umrah numbers steadily while easing the arrival process. Ministry officials describe the visa as a new model for developing arrival procedures, allowing worshippers to perform Umrah more than once under a single authorisation rather than reapplying for each journey.
How the visa works
The multiple-entry Umrah visa is valid for 365 days from the date of issue and allows holders to enter Saudi Arabia repeatedly during that period. According to the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, pilgrims may remain in the Kingdom for a combined total of up to 90 days across the life of the visa. That cumulative cap is tracked at every entry and exit, with departure information used to calculate how many of the 90 days remain.
The design suits pilgrims who wish to return several times in a year, including those who live within travelling distance of the Kingdom or who plan visits around different seasons. Rather than treating each trip as an entirely separate application, the visa provides one framework for the whole year. It also reflects the ministry's wider drive to route the Umrah experience through a single digital gateway, from visa issuance to on-the-ground services.
A booking and permit for every visit
Flexibility does not mean fewer steps. The ministry has clarified that holding a valid multiple-entry visa alone is not sufficient to perform Umrah. For every visit, pilgrims must purchase an approved service package from a licensed Umrah provider through the Nusuk platform, and the duration of that package cannot extend beyond the time remaining on the visa.
Pilgrims must also secure an Umrah permit through the Nusuk app before arriving in the Kingdom, with the permit dates matching those of the booked service package. Travellers are additionally expected to meet all other standard entry and eligibility requirements on each occasion they travel.
Step by step for the first trip
For a first visit, the ministry outlines a clear sequence. The pilgrim begins by purchasing an approved service package on Nusuk, then submits the visa application and completes the required procedures with the relevant authorities. Travel eligibility is checked before the pilgrim boards a flight to Saudi Arabia. On arrival, entry details are recorded, and on departure the system updates the running total of days used against the 90-day allowance.
Because the permit and package are tied together, pilgrims should treat the Nusuk booking as the true starting point of each journey, not the visa itself.
Practical tips for pilgrims
Pilgrims considering the multiple-entry visa should keep several points in mind. Track your cumulative days carefully, since the 90-day limit applies across all visits combined, not per trip. Always book through the official Nusuk platform and a licensed provider, and obtain the Umrah permit before departure to avoid problems at the airport or on arrival. Make sure each service package fits within the visa's remaining validity, and confirm that permit dates align with your booking.
Finally, remember that the multiple-entry visa is intended for Umrah and visits, not for performing Hajj, which has its own separate registration, permit and visa process through Nusuk. Planning ahead and completing each step digitally will help ensure a smooth and worry-free journey to the holy sites.