Can I Visit Saudi Arabia On an Umrah Visa?

If you’re planning to embark on an Umrah pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia on a Umrah visa, you can visit Saudi Arabia, but there are a set of regulations and guidelines that you must follow to ensure a smooth and respectful journey. Here’s what you need to know:

• Restrictions on Movement: Umrah visa strictly allows travel only to Jeddah, Makkah, and Medina, the holy cities associated with Umrah pilgrimage.
  • Attempting to visit other parts of Saudi Arabia could lead to severe consequences, including deportation, fines, or even arrest.
  • Make sure that your planned itinerary fits within the authorized stay duration.
• Your purpose must be strictly limited to religious activity.
  • Engaging in other activities such as sightseeing or leisure outside the holy cities might not be allowed.
• Non-Muslims are prohibited from entering Mecca and Medina.
• Women of all ages can now travel for Umrah without a mahram (male guardian).
• Minors under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
• Dress modestly and respectfully, refrain from prohibited activities such as gambling and drug use, and be mindful of local customs and privacy when taking photos and videos.

While an Umrah visa can indeed facilitate your entry into Saudi Arabia, it’s crucial to understand its limitations and specificities before planning your trip. Here’s a concise breakdown:

• Types of Umrah Visas:
  • Umrah-specific visa: Limited to performing Umrah, usually valid for 30 days.
  • Tourist visa with Umrah permission: Enables both Umrah and general tourism activities, often valid for a year with multiple entries.

• Allowed Activities:
  • Umrah visa specifically authorizes performing the pilgrimage and visiting Makkah and Madinah.
  • Engaging in work, studies, or non-Umrah activities is strictly prohibited.

• Additional Restrictions:
  • Specific entry points may be designated for Umrah visa holders.
  • Required vaccinations and other regulations may apply.

The Umrah E-Visa and the tourist E-Visa are both valid for 90 days and allow multiple entries. However, the Umrah E-Visa is intended for Muslims who want to perform the Umrah pilgrimage, while the tourist E-Visa is designed for general tourism purposes. If you are interested in visiting Saudi Arabia for tourism purposes, you should apply for a tourist E-Visa.¹

The E-Visa is a convenient and easy way to obtain a visa to Saudi Arabia, and it can be applied online. If you are interested in visiting Saudi Arabia for tourism purposes, you can apply with us here at Visas for Future. We can work your E-Visa together, plus you get a chance to plant a tree!

What We’re Offering

If you are a citizen of a country that requires a visa to enter Saudi Arabia for tourism or Umrah, you must obtain a Saudi Arabia Tourist E-Visa. Our E-Visa processing service will provide you with your Saudi Arabia Tourist E-Visa and mandatory health insurance directly in your mailbox in just three days.

• 90 days duration.¹
• Multiple entry.¹
• $214.82 fee includes the government fee and the mandatory health insurance.

Our eVisa forms are easy and simple.

We validate your application.

We answer your questions.

We plant a tree!

Requirements for Umrah Visa

In order to travel to Saudi Arabia, you will need:²

1. Valid passport: Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your planned departure date from Saudi Arabia.
2. Completed visa application form: You can find the application form online through the official eVisa website.
3. Proof of payment: You’ll need to pay the visa application fee, which can vary depending on your nationality and visa type.
4. Recent passport photo: Make sure it meets the specified size and format requirements.
5. General:
6. Number of photos:
   • Online application: One identical photo uploaded electronically
   • Paper application: Two identical photos printed on high-quality photographic paper
7. Dimensions:
   • Online application: 200 x 200 pixels in size
   • Paper application: 3.5 cm wide x 4.5 cm high (approximately 1.4 inches x 1.7 inches)
8. Additional Required Documents (May vary depending on your nationality and visa type):
9. Non-refundable flight tickets: Proof of purchased round-trip flight tickets is usually required.
10. Accommodation booking confirmation: Show proof of confirmed accommodation bookings for your stay in Saudi Arabia.
11. Meningitis vaccination certificate: A valid certificate for a quadrivalent ACYW135 meningitis vaccination administered at least 10 days and no more than three years before travel is mandatory.
12. Travel insurance: Some countries require travel insurance covering your stay in Saudi Arabia. Double-check the specific requirements for your nationality.
13. Mahram documentation (if applicable): If you’re a female under 18 years old, you’ll need documentation proving your relationship with your mahram (male guardian) accompanying you.
14. COVID-19 vaccination and testing requirements: These may change frequently, so check the latest information from the Saudi authorities before travel.

Application Process for Umrah Visa

If you want to apply for an Umrah visa online, here are the steps you need to follow:

1. Visit the official E-Visa portal of Saudi Arabia Immigration.
2. Select the Umrah visa service and fill out the online application form with your personal and travel details.
3. Upload the required documents, which are similar to those listed above for travel agencies.
4. Pay the visa fees using a valid credit or debit card for secure online payment.
5. If your application is approved, your e-Visa will be sent to your registered email address.

Application Process for Saudi Tourist E-Visa

If you choose to apply for Saudi Tourist E-Visa instead, follow the simple steps below:

1. Go to Visas for Future official website.
2. Choose Saudi Arabia E-Visa and click “Get Saudi Arabia E-Visa Now”.
3. Fill out the Saudi Arabia E-Visa Application Form with your information correctly.
4. Pay the visa fee using your credit or debit card.
5. Answer intake questions.
6. Wait for your Saudi Arabia Tourist E-Visa in your mailbox in three days.

Saudi Arabia Visa Policy

• Foreigners visiting Saudi Arabia generally require a visa, with a few exceptions for GCC citizens.
• Different types of visas are available for various purposes, such as tourism, business, employment, and pilgrimage.
• The application process involves filling out a form, submitting passport photos, and supporting documents at a Saudi embassy or consulate.
• Some nationalities can apply online.
• Visa fees, processing times, and health insurance requirements can vary and should be taken into consideration.
• Honesty and accuracy are crucial, as providing false information can lead to a visa application being denied.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Saudi eVisa | The Official website for Tourist Visa to Saudi Arabia. (2023). Visa.visitsaudi.com; Ministry of Tourism of Saudi Arabia . https://visa.visitsaudi.com/ [↩] [↩] [↩]
2. Tourist Visa | The Embassy of The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. (2023).www.saudiembassy.net. https://www.saudiembassy.net/tourist-visa [↩]

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Written by Wences Orcales

Wences has been working home-based for 7 years in the Visa industry. As a content writer in Visas for Future, she makes sure the information she provides is useful for her readers. Once a quarter she does visa fulfillment for Turkey and India visas. She makes sure that clients are satisfied with their orders through customer service. She loves learning new things and hates procrastination.

Managed by Glen Vidania

Glen Vidania is the Content Manager at Visas for Future, a company that offers online visa services for eco-friendly travelers. He is a certified Content Marketer and an experienced academic writer. He writes and promotes content that is informative, engaging, and relevant to the readers. He had work experience and gained skills in writing articles, data entry, SEO email marketing, and guest posting. He is also an expert in applying for visas for Turkey and India.

Published by Visas for Future

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MLA Style

Orcales, Wences. "Can I Visit Saudi Arabia On an Umrah Visa?." Visas For Future, https://www.visasforfuture.com/can-i-visit-saudi-arabia-on-umrah-visa/. Accessed on 28 August 2023.

Chicago Style

Orcales, Wences. "Can I Visit Saudi Arabia On an Umrah Visa?." Visas For Future. August 28, 2023. https://www.visasforfuture.com/can-i-visit-saudi-arabia-on-umrah-visa/.