Pilgrims planning an Umrah journey during the current 1448 AH season now have a firm timetable to work with. The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has published the official calendar for the season, fixing the dates for visa issuance, arrival in the Kingdom and final departure. Anyone hoping to visit the Two Holy Mosques before the next Hajj should plan around these cut-off points.
The season opened earlier this year. According to the Ministry, the issuance of Umrah visas and the arrival of pilgrims from abroad began on May 31, 2026. Pilgrims have been able to enter Makkah and obtain their Umrah permits through the Nusuk application since June 1, 2026.
The key dates every pilgrim needs
Three deadlines anchor the rest of the season. The Ministry has set March 9, 2027 as the final date for issuing Umrah visas. After that, no new visas will be granted for the current cycle.
The last date for pilgrims to enter Saudi Arabia is March 23, 2027. This is the hard boundary for arrival, so travellers should build in a comfortable margin rather than aiming for the final day. The Ministry has fixed April 7, 2027 as the deadline for all Umrah pilgrims to leave the Kingdom.
These dates matter because the Umrah season does not run indefinitely. It closes ahead of the Hajj period, when Makkah shifts its focus entirely to the annual pilgrimage. Pilgrims who overstay risk penalties, so respecting the departure deadline is not optional.
Shorter visa validity and the Nusuk requirement
One change this season has drawn particular attention. According to travel-sector reporting on the new rules, the standard single-entry Umrah visa is now valid for 30 days from the date of issuance. That is a reduction from the 90-day window that applied in earlier seasons. In practice, a visa issued on the first of a month must be used to enter the Kingdom within that same month.
The shorter validity places a premium on careful planning. Pilgrims should not obtain a visa far in advance of their intended travel, because the clock starts ticking at issuance rather than at arrival.
The process is also firmly tied to the Nusuk platform. Before a visa can be issued, pilgrims must hold confirmed hotel and transport bookings through Nusuk, along with a Booking Reference Number. The digital permit system is mandatory for all international Umrah visitors, and the Ministry has stressed that pilgrims without a confirmed Nusuk permit will not be allowed to enter.
A year-round option for frequent visitors
Alongside the single-entry route, Saudi Arabia has expanded the choices available to those who wish to perform Umrah more than once. The Kingdom has introduced a multiple-entry Umrah visa valid for 365 days from issuance, allowing the holder to enter several times for a cumulative stay of up to 90 days.
That visa carries its own conditions. Each visit requires purchasing a service package from an approved provider on the Nusuk platform, and an Umrah permit must be issued through the app before arrival. Importantly, the multiple-entry visa cannot be used to enter during the Hajj season, which runs from the first of Dhul Qadah to the 13th of Dhul Hijjah.
Practical tips for pilgrims
The season calendar rewards early, deliberate planning. Pilgrims should confirm their Nusuk hotel and transport bookings first, since the Booking Reference Number is the gateway to the visa. Only then should they apply for the visa itself, ideally close to the travel date so the 30-day validity is not wasted.
Travellers aiming for the tail end of the season should treat the March 23 entry deadline as their planning target and leave room for flight delays or rebooking. Finally, every pilgrim should note the April 7, 2027 departure deadline and arrange return travel well ahead of it. Checking the Nusuk app regularly for permit confirmations and updates remains the safest way to avoid surprises at the airport or at the gates of Makkah.