Performing Umrah is more accessible than it has ever been — but 2026 brought new digital steps, and for many pilgrims the mix of visas, apps and permits can feel confusing. This plain-English guide explains what Nusuk is, the routes into the Kingdom, and the requirements that matter this year. One caveat first: Umrah rules genuinely change from season to season, so treat this as orientation, and always confirm the current details on the official Nusuk platform or with a licensed operator before you book.
What is Nusuk?
Nusuk is Saudi Arabia’s official government platform for Umrah and Hajj, available as an app and a website. It has become the single hub through which pilgrims organise their journey: you create a pilgrim profile, book approved services, and — importantly — obtain the permits you need for worship.
That last point is the one travellers most often miss. In 2026, a Nusuk permit is required to enter the Mataf around the Ka’bah in Makkah and to access the Rawdah in Madinah, regardless of which visa you hold. In short: the visa lets you enter the country, and Nusuk lets you perform the worship. Both pieces have to be in place.
The three ways to enter for Umrah
There is no single Umrah ticket. Which route applies depends mostly on your nationality:
- The tourist e-visa. For travellers from eligible countries, often the most flexible option: valid for one year with multiple entries, up to 90 days per stay, and it permits both tourism and Umrah. That means you can combine your pilgrimage with visiting AlUla, Riyadh or Jeddah on the same trip.
- The dedicated Umrah visa. Applied for through Nusuk if your country is on the eligible list, or through a licensed agent if it is not. It is focused on the pilgrimage and the holy cities.
- The Hajj visa. A separate, quota-based visa issued only for the Hajj season. It is not interchangeable with an Umrah visa.
A recent development worth noting: in 2026 the authorities moved toward a multiple-entry Umrah visa valid for a year, allowing repeat visits within that window — part of a wider push to make return pilgrimage simpler. As with everything here, confirm the current terms before relying on them.
The 2026 requirements
The single biggest change is that an Umrah visa application must now be linked to confirmed, Nusuk-approved hotel and transport bookings before it is issued. You can no longer secure the visa first and arrange the rest later. Beyond that, expect the following to apply:
- A passport valid for at least six months beyond your travel dates.
- Confirmed, Nusuk-registered accommodation in Makkah and/or Madinah, with a booking reference.
- Pre-arranged ground transport through an approved provider.
- The meningitis (MenACWY) vaccination, which is mandatory for pilgrims, plus polio proof for travellers from certain countries.
- Attention to validity windows: a dedicated Umrah visa is time-limited, so enter and complete your visit within the stated period to avoid overstay penalties.
When you can go
Umrah can be performed year-round except during the days of Hajj, when Nusuk pauses the issuing of new Umrah permits and Makkah is reserved for Hajj pilgrims. That pause follows the Islamic lunar calendar, so the exact dates shift each year — check Nusuk for the current schedule.
Season shapes the experience as much as the rules. Ramadan is the most spiritually rewarding time and, unsurprisingly, the busiest and most expensive; prices can multiply in the final ten nights. If you are set on Ramadan, apply and book early. The months just after Hajj tend to be the quietest and easiest.
Do you need an agent?
It depends on your passport. Travellers from e-visa-eligible or visa-exempt countries can generally register and apply directly on Nusuk. Some nationalities must apply through a licensed, authorised Umrah agent connected to a Saudi operator. GCC citizens do not need a visa at all. If you are unsure which applies to you — or would simply rather not navigate the platform alone — a licensed operator can confirm your route and handle the process end to end.
A few things that trip people up
- Booking the visa before the hotel. In 2026 the order is reversed — accommodation and transport come first.
- Assuming a tourist visa alone lets you perform Umrah. You still need the Nusuk permit for the Mataf and the Rawdah.
- Leaving vaccinations to the last minute, or travelling without the certificate to hand.
- Using unofficial links. Apply only through the official Nusuk platform (umrah.nusuk.sa) or a recognised licensed operator, and be wary of lookalike sites.
A simple order of steps
If the details feel like a lot, the sequence is actually logical. In broad terms, a 2026 Umrah comes together like this:
- Confirm your route — tourist e-visa, dedicated Umrah visa, or via a licensed agent, depending on your nationality.
- Register on Nusuk and create your pilgrim profile.
- Book Nusuk-approved accommodation and transport, and keep the booking references.
- Apply for the visa, linked to those confirmed bookings.
- Arrange the mandatory vaccinations and keep the certificate with you.
- Once in the Kingdom, secure your Nusuk permits for the Mataf and the Rawdah before performing Umrah.
Handled in that order, the process is far less daunting than it first appears — and a good operator can carry most of it for you.
A word on cost
The total cost of an Umrah depends far more on your choices than on the visa itself. Flights, the standard of your hotel and how close it sits to the Haram, the length of your stay, and the season all matter — Ramadan in particular can multiply prices. Booking early, travelling outside the peak weeks, and having the arrangements handled in one place all help keep the trip both smooth and affordable.
How Rihlah helps
Rihlah arranges Umrah in partnership with operators licensed by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, through the official Nusuk system — so the visa, the permits and the logistics are handled correctly, and you can keep your attention where it belongs: on the worship and the meaning of the journey. We can also pair your Umrah with the Seerah, so the visit becomes an understanding of the place and not only the rite. See our Umrah & Ziyarah page, read about private Umrah and ziyarah, the circles of learning in the Haram, or what a visit to Makkah and Madinah actually involves.
This guide is for general orientation only. Umrah requirements change with each season and by nationality — always confirm the current rules on the official Nusuk platform (umrah.nusuk.sa) or with a licensed operator before booking.
Planning your Umrah? Plan your journey with Rihlah.