Saudi Arabia has introduced a one-year multiple-entry Umrah visa, allowing eligible pilgrims to travel to the Kingdom several times within a single validity period rather than applying afresh for each journey. The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah presented the measure as part of wider efforts to simplify travel, improve services, and support the Pilgrim Experience Programme under Vision 2030.
According to the official announcement carried by the Saudi Press Agency, the multiple-entry Umrah visa remains valid for 365 days from the date of issuance and permits holders to enter Saudi Arabia multiple times, subject to applicable regulations. The total permitted stay is up to 90 days across the year.
What the new visa offers
The main change is flexibility. Under previous arrangements, many pilgrims planned their journeys around shorter, single-entry permits and applied again for every trip. The one-year framework gives a longer window and allows return visits within the same year without starting a completely new application each time.
The Ministry said the initiative aims to facilitate arrival procedures, enrich the pilgrim experience, and improve operational efficiency. In practice, the policy is likely to benefit frequent travellers, families planning more than one visit, and elderly pilgrims who need flexible scheduling. It may also suit those who wish to combine Umrah with visits to Madinah and other sites of Islamic and historical significance.
Requirements still apply
A longer validity period does not remove the standard obligations tied to Umrah travel. Pilgrims must still follow Saudi Arabia's official procedures, including the Kingdom's requirement that bookings be made through the Nusuk platform. Under the current "no booking, no visa" approach, an Umrah visa must be linked to a verified Nusuk booking covering accommodation and transport through approved providers.
Travellers should also keep in mind that Umrah access is managed around the Hajj season. Each year, the Ministry sets firm dates after which Umrah visa issuance and pilgrim entry pause ahead of Hajj, before reopening for the new season. Pilgrims holding a long-validity visa still need to plan their visits around these operational windows and any separate permit requirements for entering Makkah or booking Rawdah time slots in Madinah.
Part of a wider transformation
The multiple-entry visa fits into Saudi Arabia's broader strategy of modernising religious tourism through digital services. The Nusuk ecosystem now handles visa-linked bookings, permits, transport, and religious tools in a single platform, and the Kingdom has invested heavily in infrastructure and hospitality around the two holy mosques.
Religious travel remains one of Saudi Arabia's most significant visitor sectors, and easing repeat visits is expected to support year-round demand rather than concentrating arrivals in peak periods. The change follows a record stretch for Umrah, with millions of international pilgrims arriving in recent seasons.
Digital-first processing also means pilgrims can manage much of their planning remotely, from visa-linked bookings to permit selection, reducing the paperwork that once accompanied each separate trip. For communities with large numbers of pilgrims abroad, including in Europe and South Asia, the longer validity removes a recurring administrative hurdle and makes it easier to fit Umrah around work, study, and family commitments during quieter parts of the year.
Practical tips for pilgrims
Confirm your eligibility and the exact visa conditions through official Saudi channels before booking travel, as rules can be updated between seasons. Remember that the 90-day limit is cumulative across the year, so plan the length of each visit accordingly.
Always complete accommodation and transport bookings through the Nusuk platform, since an unlinked visa will not be valid. Check the current Umrah season calendar before travelling, especially in the months leading up to Hajj, when entry for Umrah pilgrims is suspended. Finally, keep passports valid well beyond your intended travel dates, and arrange required health and vaccination documents in advance to avoid delays on arrival.