Saudi Arabia has approved the creation of a unified national visa platform that will bring every category of entry permit, including Hajj and Umrah visas, under a single official system. The Council of Ministers approved the platform during a session chaired by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the Prime Minister, in Jeddah. The move consolidates services that were previously spread across separate government channels into one digital gateway managed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

According to the Saudi Press Agency and reporting by Gulf News, the platform will become the Kingdom's official channel for issuing and managing visas of all types. For the millions of pilgrims who travel to Makkah and Madinah each year, the decision signals a further step in Saudi Arabia's long effort to simplify how visitors apply to enter the country.

One platform for every visa type

The new system is designed to replace multiple, separate application routes with a single integrated portal. Officials said it will handle tourist, business, work, family visit, Hajj and Umrah visas, along with other entry permits. Rather than navigating different websites and agencies for each visa category, applicants will be able to use one platform to check requirements, confirm their eligibility, submit an application and follow its progress.

The platform is built to connect with more than 30 government bodies and private-sector partners. That integration is intended to speed up processing and reduce the paperwork that applicants and service providers have long faced. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will oversee the system as the Kingdom's central visa authority.

The Council of Ministers described the platform as part of a wider push toward digital government. Saudi Arabia was ranked first globally in the 2026 ICT Development Index, a result the Cabinet said reflected the continued growth of the Kingdom's digital infrastructure and regulatory environment.

What it means for Hajj and Umrah pilgrims

Hajj and Umrah visas are named among the categories the platform will cover, which places the pilgrimage directly within the reform. In recent years Saudi Arabia has steadily moved pilgrim services online. The Nusuk platform already serves as the digital gateway for Umrah permits, bookings and entry to the holy sites, while Masar Nusuk handles arrangements for Hajj affairs offices abroad.

The unified visa platform sits at a higher, government-wide level, standardising how the underlying visa is requested and tracked across all visitor types. For pilgrims, the practical promise is a clearer and more consistent application experience, with a single place to determine eligibility and monitor status. Pilgrims should continue to expect Umrah and Hajj bookings to run through the established Nusuk channels and approved service providers.

The announcement did not set a public launch date for pilgrims, and the ministries involved have not yet detailed how the platform will interact with existing pilgrimage systems on a day-to-day basis. Travellers planning Umrah during the current 1448 AH season should therefore keep following the official Nusuk platform and licensed agents until the ministry confirms further steps.

Part of a broader visa overhaul

The platform is the latest in a series of visa measures Saudi Arabia has introduced this year. The Kingdom has launched a one-year multiple-entry Umrah visa, opened an Electronic Travel Authorisation scheme to citizens of several countries, and piloted a package visa that bundles flights and accommodation with entry. Each of these changes shares the same goal: widening access for visitors while tightening the digital systems that manage their stay.

During the same session, the Cabinet approved agreements with Hungary, Kazakhstan and Poland on mutual visa exemptions for holders of diplomatic, service and special passports. These agreements are separate from the pilgrimage system but reflect the same direction of travel toward smoother cross-border movement.

Saudi Arabia has set ambitious targets under Vision 2030, aiming to welcome far larger numbers of Umrah and Hajj pilgrims by the end of the decade. Streamlining the visa process is central to reaching those goals without overwhelming the systems that keep the holy sites safe and orderly.

Practical tips for pilgrims

  • Use official channels only. Apply for Umrah through the Nusuk platform and approved service providers, and verify any Hajj operator against the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah's official listings before paying.
  • Keep your documents current. Ensure your passport validity, vaccination records and personal details are up to date, as unified digital systems rely on accurate information to process applications.
  • Watch for official updates. The unified platform is newly approved, so confirm launch details and any new steps through Saudi government sources rather than unofficial agents.
  • Beware of fraud. Avoid unauthorised agencies promising shortcuts. Only licensed providers can issue valid Hajj and Umrah visas.

The unified national visa platform will not change the spiritual heart of the journey, but it aims to make the path to Makkah and Madinah simpler to navigate. As Saudi Arabia continues to digitise its systems, pilgrims can expect the administrative side of Hajj and Umrah to become more streamlined in the seasons ahead.