This is one of the most common questions we hear, and it used to have a complicated answer. The good news is that today it is simple.
Yes. If you are Muslim and you hold a valid Saudi visa, including the ordinary tourist visa, you are allowed to perform Umrah. Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah opened Umrah to all visa types, so you no longer need a special Umrah only visa just to make the pilgrimage. You can read the official guidance and apply on the government’s own channels, the Visit Saudi visa portal and the Nusuk platform.
What this means for you from the USA
As a US passport holder, you usually have two easy routes.
- The tourist e-visa. This is a one year, multiple entry visitor visa you apply for online. It lets you enter for tourism and perform Umrah while you are there. It is flexible and quick, which is why many pilgrims use it.
- The Umrah visa through Nusuk. You can still apply for a dedicated Umrah visa through the Nusuk platform or a licensed agency. For a focused Umrah trip, this route is clean and purpose built.
Both are valid. The best choice depends on your plans, and we are happy to point you to the simpler one for your trip.
Where Nusuk still comes in
Having the right visa gets you into the country. The Nusuk app is what you use to plan the worship itself.
- Rawdah in Madinah. A visit to the Rawdah in the Prophet’s Mosque is booked through Nusuk, with a free timed appointment. No visa type can guarantee a slot, so book early in the app. We explain the whole process in our guide to booking a Rawdah permit on Nusuk.
- Busy seasons. During peak times such as Ramadan, an Umrah permit through Nusuk may be required so the mosque does not become overcrowded. Check the app before you travel in Ramadan.
One thing a tourist visa does not cover
A tourist visa or an Umrah visa is for Umrah and for visiting the holy sites. It does not allow you to perform Hajj. Hajj requires its own Hajj visa or an official Nusuk Hajj package, applied for separately. Be careful of anyone offering Hajj on a visit visa, as that is not permitted.
Let us take the paperwork off your hands
You do not have to work any of this out alone. When you book an Umrah package with us, the visa is part of the deal. We apply for it through the official channels for every traveller in your group, confirm it in writing, and tell you exactly what to do in the Nusuk app for your Rawdah visit.
If you want the full picture first, read our plain English guide to the Umrah visa from the USA, or request a quote and we will handle the visa with your trip.
