One visa. Twelve months. As many Umrah trips as you can fit in. That’s the shift Saudi Arabia just made, and for pilgrims who’ve dreaded the paperwork cycle of applying fresh before every single trip, this changes things considerably.
The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah rolled out a new multiple-entry Umrah visa designed to make religious travel genuinely flexible. UAE residents included. No more starting from scratch each time you want to perform Umrah.
Here’s everything you need to know before you book anything.
What This Visa Actually Does?
The new visa runs for 365 days from the date it’s issued. Within that window, pilgrims can enter Saudi Arabia multiple times.
Compare that to the old single-entry system, where every trip meant a brand new application. That’s gone now, at least for those who qualify.
A few specifics worth knowing upfront:
- Valid for one full year from issuance
- Multiple entries allowed within that period
- Maximum cumulative stay capped at 90 days
- Open to Muslims of all nationalities
- Requires an approved Umrah service package through Nusuk
- An Umrah permit must be issued via the Nusuk app before each arrival
- The visa deactivates after departure and reactivates once requirements are met again
- Not valid during the annual Hajj season
That last point matters. This is strictly an Umrah visa, not a Hajj workaround.
Read More: Saudi Arabia Umrah Visa Update: All Visa Types Now Eligible for Umrah
Eligibility Criteria For This Visa:
Muslims of any nationality can apply, including UAE residents. But there’s a catch worth flagging early: you can’t apply for the visa on its own. You have to purchase an approved Umrah package through Nusuk first. The visa application flows out of that booking, not the other way around.
How The Application Actually Works:
Step 1 — Book a package on Nusuk. Choose from standard, premium, or luxury tiers. Most packages bundle visa processing, mandatory Umrah insurance, hotel accommodation, transportation, catering, and ground transfers into one purchase.
Step 2 — Submit the visa application. Once you’ve bought the package, the authorised Umrah agency sponsoring your trip handles the visa processing on your behalf.
Step 3 — Get your Umrah permit. Before you travel, you’ll need to secure a permit through the Nusuk app. No permit, no entry — that’s non-negotiable.
Step 4 — Travel. Once approved, you’re clear to enter Saudi Arabia and perform Umrah under the terms of your visa and permit.
Want to go again later in the year? You’ll repeat the Nusuk requirements and get fresh approvals before each additional trip. The visa stays valid, but each entry still needs its own green light.
Required Documents To Apply:
Before applying, gather these documents:
- A valid passport, with at least six months remaining before expiry
- A passport-sized photo — recent, colour, white background, clear face
- UAE residency documents, including your Emirates ID and residence visa copy
- Confirmed return or onward flight tickets
- Hotel reservation or accommodation confirmation
- A travel itinerary outlining your dates and plans
Nothing unusual here. It’s largely the same paperwork you’d expect for any international religious travel booking, just consolidated under one visa umbrella.
What it Actually Costs?
Pricing depends heavily on which package you choose. Standard packages, which bundle accommodation, insurance, transport, and visa services, typically run between Dh2,000 and Dh2,684.
Luxury packages, with upgraded hotels and premium transport, land somewhere between Dh5,000 and Dh7,000.
If you’re a UAE resident looking at just the standalone visa cost, expect somewhere between Dh300 and Dh600.
Actual pricing shifts depending on the agency, the season you’re travelling in, what’s included in the package, and the hotel category you pick. Worth comparing a few providers before committing.
Can You Really Do Multiple Trips on One Visa?
Yes, and that’s the entire point of this new system.
But there’s a process attached to every single trip, even within the same visa’s validity:
- A valid Nusuk-booked service package for that trip
- Compliance with whatever Saudi regulations are in effect at the time
- An approved Umrah permit through the Nusuk app
- Any additional requirements that may apply when you travel
Remember, the visa deactivates the moment you leave the country. It only comes back online once you’ve satisfied the requirements for your next visit. So while the visa itself lasts a year, each trip within it still needs its own round of preparation.
Pro Tip: Before each trip, get your Umrah permit through the Nusuk app. The visa deactivates when you leave Saudi Arabia and only reactivates once the requirements are met again.
FAQs
How long is Saudi Arabia’s multiple-entry Umrah visa valid?
It is valid for 365 days from the date of issue and allows multiple entries. Your total stay is capped at 90 days.
How much does the multiple-entry Umrah visa cost for UAE residents?
The standalone visa costs roughly Dh300 to Dh600. Standard packages run between Dh2,000 and Dh2,684, and luxury packages between Dh5,000 and Dh7,000.
Can I apply for the visa without buying a package?
No. You must first buy an approved Umrah package through Nusuk, and the sponsoring Umrah agency then handles the visa for you.
Can the multiple-entry Umrah visa be used for Hajj?
No. It is strictly an Umrah visa and is not valid during the annual Hajj season.
What documents do I need to apply?
You need a passport valid for at least six months, a recent colour photo on a white background, your Emirates ID and residence visa copy, return or onward flight tickets, a hotel reservation and a travel itinerary.
