Saudi Arabia has reduced the validity period of the Umrah entry visa from three months to one month from the date of issuance, a change that takes effect with the 1448 AH season now under way. The shortened window means pilgrims must travel to the Kingdom within 30 days of receiving their visa, or the visa will expire and a fresh application will be required.

The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah confirmed the new rule as part of the season calendar it issued ahead of the resumption of Umrah visa issuance on May 31, 2026. Pilgrims holding valid visas were permitted to enter Makkah and obtain permits through the official Nusuk application from June 1, 2026.

What the Change Means for Pilgrims

The reform affects only the entry window, not the length of stay. According to the Ministry, the permitted duration of stay inside Saudi Arabia after arrival remains unchanged at up to three months. Only the period during which a pilgrim must use the visa to enter the country has been compressed.

In practical terms, a pilgrim whose visa is issued on November 10 must now enter the Kingdom before December 10. Once inside, that pilgrim may remain until early March under the existing stay allowance. Previously, the same visa could be used to enter at any point within a three-month window.

The tighter timeframe places a premium on planning. Pilgrims and travel agents now need to align flights, accommodation and visa issuance more closely, since a visa left unused for more than a month is automatically cancelled. Booking the visa too far in advance of the intended travel date is no longer practical.

Accommodation Must Be Booked First

The validity change comes alongside a separate requirement that all pilgrims secure verified, pre-booked accommodation through the Nusuk platform before applying for an Umrah visa. Pilgrims must first confirm a stay in Makkah, Madinah, or both, and only then submit the visa application online.

Taken together, the two measures reshape the order in which pilgrims arrange their journey. Accommodation is locked in first, the visa is issued second, and travel must follow within a month. The Ministry has described the calendar as part of wider efforts to streamline procedures and improve the pilgrim experience through digital systems and integrated operational services.

Key Dates for the 1448 AH Season

The season calendar sets out firm deadlines for the months ahead. Visa issuance opened on May 31, 2026. The final date for issuing Umrah visas is March 9, 2027. The last day for pilgrims to enter the Kingdom is March 23, 2027, and all pilgrims must depart by April 7, 2027.

Practical Tips

  • Book accommodation before anything else. The Nusuk app now requires a confirmed booking before a visa can be issued.
  • Do not apply too early. Apply for the visa only once your travel dates are firm, since it must be used within 30 days.
  • Confirm flights alongside the visa. Align your entry date with the one-month window to avoid cancellation.
  • Use only the official Nusuk application for permits and bookings, and keep your stay within the three-month limit after arrival.