Saudi Arabia has announced a major change that could reshape how millions of Muslims perform Umrah in 2025 and beyond. In a historic update to its pilgrimage regulations, the Kingdom now allows anyone holding a valid Saudi visa, whether it’s a tourist, work, family visit, or transit visa to perform Umrah.
This policy, officially confirmed by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah through the Saudi Press Agency, marks a huge step in the country’s efforts to make the spiritual journey more accessible, inclusive, and convenient for Muslims around the world.
For years, performing Umrah meant applying for a dedicated Umrah visa, often through licensed travel agents and under strict conditions. But that extra step is now gone. If you already have any valid Saudi visa, you can simply plan your Umrah alongside your visit; there’s no need for separate paperwork.
This change is not just about convenience; it’s about transformation. It aligns perfectly with Saudi Vision 2030, the government’s broader plan to diversify the economy and strengthen the tourism sector. And religious tourism, being central to Saudi Arabia’s identity, sits right at the heart of that vision.
What Was the Old Umrah Policy?
Traditionally, anyone who wanted to perform Umrah had to obtain a special Umrah visa. This visa was different from tourist or work visas; it was a short-term religious visa, processed through approved tour operators and travel agencies.
Visitors who entered Saudi Arabia for business, tourism, or family visits were not permitted to perform Umrah. Even if you were already in the Kingdom for another purpose, you couldn’t simply decide to go to Mecca unless your visa specifically allowed it.
That old system meant:
- Extra paperwork and costs.
- Strict entry and exit dates.
- Limited flexibility for Muslims who were already in Saudi Arabia for other reasons.
In essence, Umrah had been a structured, somewhat rigid process until now.
The New Rule
Under the 2025 policy, Saudi Arabia has made Umrah more accessible than ever. Whether you hold a tourist visa, a work permit, a family visit visa, or even a transit visa, you can now perform Umrah legally.
This update means a Nigerian professional working in Riyadh, an Indonesian tourist exploring Jeddah, or a British Muslim visiting relatives in Dammam can all make the sacred trip to Mecca without needing a separate visa.
It’s a decision that has been widely praised, especially by Muslims in Africa, South Asia, and Southeast Asia, regions that send millions of pilgrims each year but often face long application processes and costly requirements.
Why This Change Matters
This isn’t just about removing visa restrictions; it’s a strategic move that reflects Saudi Arabia’s growing openness and desire to modernise the pilgrimage experience.
Here’s why it’s such a big deal:
- Accessibility: More Muslims, regardless of their visa type, can now perform Umrah with fewer barriers.
- Economic Growth: Religious tourism is a cornerstone of Saudi Vision 2030, and this policy is designed to boost travel, hospitality, and spending across the country.
- Digital Modernisation: The entire process now runs through Nusuk, Saudi Arabia’s official digital platform for managing Hajj and Umrah services.
- Flexibility: Pilgrims can combine their spiritual trip with tourism, business, or family visits.
Essentially, this new rule transforms Umrah into an easier, smarter, and more digital experience, open to anyone prepared to follow the guidelines.
Key Rules and Requirements for 2025
While the new policy brings more freedom, it also introduces new systems that every pilgrim must comply with. Here’s what’s changing in 2025:
1. Mandatory Registration via the Nusuk Platform
All pilgrims must use the Nusuk platform (the official Saudi portal for Hajj and Umrah) or other authorised travel agents to register their trip. This includes scheduling your Umrah, selecting accommodations, and arranging transportation.
Nusuk also issues digital permits, so every step from entry to completion can be managed online.
2. Hotel and Transport Confirmation Required
Starting June 10, 2025, the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah requires all pilgrims to have confirmed hotel and transport bookings made through the Nusuk Masar system before applying for Umrah approval.
Applications without verified bookings are automatically rejected, as Saudi Arabia wants to ensure proper coordination of logistics, accommodation capacity, and crowd management.
3. Entry and Exit Deadlines
There are strict timelines for those using the traditional Umrah visa:
- Entry Suspension: New Umrah entries were suspended after April 13, 2025, as the Kingdom began preparations for Hajj season.
- Visa Resumption: Umrah applications reopened on June 10, 2025, via the Nusuk platform.
- Exit Compliance: Pilgrims must leave before the end of their visa validity period. Overstaying leads to fines and possible legal penalties.
These timelines ensure that the flow of pilgrims remains organised, especially during peak periods leading up to Hajj.
Planning Your Umrah in 2025: A Simple Checklist
If you’re preparing to perform Umrah under the new system, here’s a quick guide to keep everything on track:
- Confirm Your Visa Type: Tourist, work, family visit, or transit visas are now all valid for Umrah.
- Register on Nusuk: Sign up and create a digital profile. Schedule your Umrah time and secure your permit.
- Book Accommodation and Transport via Nusuk Masar: This is mandatory before your application can be processed.
- Check Health Requirements: Saudi Arabia may require certain vaccinations, so confirm them before travelling.
- Follow Entry Timelines: If using a dedicated Umrah visa, enter before April 13 and depart by April 29.
- Stay Compliant: Keep your passport valid and respect all residency and exit laws.
Following these steps will help you avoid delays and ensure a peaceful, well-organised pilgrimage experience.
What This Means for Travellers and Agencies
The new Umrah rules represent a win-win situation for both pilgrims and the travel industry.
For pilgrims, it means fewer hurdles and a more flexible process. You can now plan Umrah alongside your family visit, vacation, or work trip. It’s more spontaneous and less bureaucratic than before.
For travel agencies, especially licensed Umrah operators, it opens up a new market. They can now assist a broader range of travellers: tourists, professionals, and expatriates who wish to include Umrah in their travel itinerary.
However, the flip side is that pilgrims must be more organised and proactive. Missing the registration or booking deadlines can lead to rejection, and the system no longer tolerates last-minute, unverified plans.
How This Fits Into Saudi Vision 2030
Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 aims to transform the Kingdom into a global hub for tourism, technology, and cultural exchange. Religious tourism remains at its core, with the government targeting 30 million Umrah pilgrims annually in the coming years.
By digitising the Umrah process and opening eligibility to all visa holders, the country is taking a major step toward that goal.
This transformation also reflects a shift in how Saudi Arabia approaches hospitality. The Kingdom is not just managing sacred sites; it’s reimagining the entire pilgrimage journey as a connected, modern experience that blends faith with travel and culture.
The Digital Era of Pilgrimage
With platforms like Nusuk, Saudi Arabia has moved Umrah management fully online. This digitisation brings several advantages:
- Transparency: Every booking and permit is verifiable.
- Safety: Real-time monitoring helps control crowd movements and enhance security.
- Convenience: Pilgrims can organise everything from flights to hotel stays in one place.
- Inclusivity: Even first-time visitors can easily navigate the process with digital assistance.
Still, the digital shift means that pilgrims especially older or less tech-savvy ones, may need help understanding the new systems. This is where travel agents and local support centres will play a critical role.
A New Chapter for Umrah
Saudi Arabia’s new 2025 Umrah policy reflects more than just administrative reform; it’s a sign of how the Kingdom envisions the future of faith travel.
By removing old restrictions and embracing digital management, Saudi Arabia is creating an Umrah experience that is both spiritual and seamless. It’s an open invitation to millions of Muslims who, for years, found the visa process intimidating or complicated.
For many, it means that a simple business trip, a short family visit, or a tourist getaway could now become a moment of deep spiritual renewal.
Umrah has always been a journey of devotion and peace. With these new rules, Saudi Arabia is ensuring that the process of getting there feels just as peaceful.
The emphasis now is on planning, preparation, and compliance because while the pathway is easier, the system is also more structured and data-driven.
For those who adapt, 2025 could mark the beginning of a more accessible, inclusive era for Muslims everywhere. Whether you’re visiting Saudi Arabia for work, family, or leisure, performing Umrah is now within reach, no longer limited by visa type, but only by your readiness to embark on the journey.
