Umrah Visa from the UK: Requirements, eVisa and Travel Guide (2026)
Quick answer
British passport holders can usually perform Umrah on the Saudi tourist eVisa, applied for online at visa.visitsaudi.com, often approved within minutes to a few days. After the visa is issued, book your Umrah permit free in the Nusuk app. UK residents with other passports may qualify through a valid UK visa or residence permit, or can apply for a dedicated Umrah visa through an authorised provider. Umrah on a tourist visa is not possible during the Hajj season.
The UK is one of the largest Umrah markets outside Asia, and British citizens have one of the simplest routes: an online eVisa that allows Umrah outside Hajj season.
Which visa should a UK traveller use?
- British citizens: the Saudi tourist eVisa (multiple entry, typically valid one year with up to 90 days per stay) permits Umrah outside the Hajj season.
- Non-British passport holders living in the UK: holders of a valid UK visa or residence permit have been eligible for the eVisa or visa on arrival — confirm your passport and permit qualify on the official portal.
- Travellers who do not qualify for the eVisa: a dedicated Umrah visa arranged through an authorised Umrah provider linked to Nusuk.
Documents UK pilgrims need
- Passport valid for at least six months from your arrival date, with blank pages
- Recent passport-style photograph on a white background
- Confirmed return or onward flight booking
- Accommodation booking for your stay in Makkah and Madinah
- Health insurance covering your stay in Saudi Arabia (often included in the visa fee)
- Vaccinations required by Saudi health authorities for the season — commonly meningitis (ACYW135); check current requirements
Travel guidance from the UK
- Direct and one-stop flights run from London Heathrow, Manchester and Birmingham to Jeddah (JED) and Madinah (MED).
- The Haramain high-speed train links Jeddah airport, Makkah and Madinah.
- Only use tour operators you can verify. Consumer bodies regularly warn about Umrah package fraud — pay by card where possible for added protection.
- Book Umrah and Rawdah permits in Nusuk as soon as your visa is issued.
- Non-British UK residents: the UK has moved to digital immigration status (UK eVisa). Carry a printout or screenshot of your status as well as your passport, as airline or border staff may ask for proof of residence.
- Saudi Arabia may ask some travellers to register fingerprints and a photo (for example through an official biometrics app) before the visa is finalised — follow any instruction you receive in your application.
Confirm the current rules before you book
Saudi Arabia updates visa eligibility, fees and seasonal restrictions (especially around Hajj) with little notice. Before paying for flights or hotels, check the official sources: the Saudi visa platform (visa.visitsaudi.com / ksavisa.sa), the Nusuk platform (umrah.nusuk.sa) and the Saudi embassy or consulate in your country.
Umrah is generally not possible on tourist or visit visas during the Hajj season, when Makkah access is restricted to Hajj permit holders. Plan Umrah dates outside that window.
Frequently asked
Questions pilgrims ask about this
Short, direct answers to the questions we hear most often from Indian pilgrims.
Can British citizens do Umrah on a tourist visa?
Yes, outside the Hajj season British citizens can perform Umrah on the Saudi tourist eVisa and book their Umrah permit through Nusuk.
How long does the Saudi eVisa take for UK citizens?
Many applications are decided within minutes to a few days, but apply at least a couple of weeks before travel in case of extra checks.
I live in the UK but hold a non-British passport. Can I get the eVisa?
Often yes, if you hold a valid UK visa or residence permit that meets Saudi conditions. Check your eligibility on visa.visitsaudi.com before booking.
Can I book my Umrah permit (time slot) myself if I travel from the UK?
Yes. Once you hold a valid visa, Umrah and Rawdah visit permits are booked through the Nusuk app. Permits are free but slots can sell out in busy periods, so book as soon as your dates are fixed.
Do women need a mahram for Umrah?
Saudi Arabia has relaxed the mahram requirement for women aged 18 and above travelling on eligible visas, typically with a group or organised arrangement. Rules for younger travellers and specific visa types differ, so confirm your own case before applying.
Can Marhaba Haji help with my application?
Our core service is for pilgrims from India, but our specialists can review your documents and explain which pathway fits you. Contact us before booking and we will tell you honestly whether we can help or whether you should apply directly.
Still have a question? Ask our visa assistant in your own words — answers link back to our guides.
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