Every American pilgrim needs a visa to perform Umrah, and there are now two common ways to get one. Which suits you depends on your passport, how you are traveling and when.
Rules for Saudi visas change more often than most government processes, so treat this as a guide to the questions to ask. We confirm your specific case before you pay a deposit.
The two visas Americans use for Umrah
1. The Umrah visa, issued through Nusuk
This is the visa made for Umrah. It is issued through Nusuk, the Saudi government platform for pilgrims, and it is linked to approved accommodation and services in the Kingdom. When you book an Umrah package, the agency arranges it for you.
- Issued as part of a package, so the visa is tied to your hotel and transport
- Applied for online, with no embassy visit
- Available only during the Umrah season, which pauses around Hajj
Every package we sell includes this visa.
2. The Saudi tourist eVisa
US citizens are eligible for the Saudi tourist eVisa, applied for online at the official Visit Saudi portal. The fee, including the mandatory medical insurance, is SAR 535, roughly $142.
- Multiple entry, valid for a year, with stays of up to 90 days in total
- Allows Umrah, as long as you book your Umrah permit in the Nusuk app
- Useful if you want to combine Umrah with travel elsewhere in Saudi Arabia
The catch: tourist visa holders can be restricted from entering Makkah during the Hajj period, and Nusuk may not issue Umrah permits to them in those weeks. If your dates are close to Hajj, the Umrah visa is the safer choice.
Green card holders
This is the question we are asked most, and the answer starts with a simple fact: Saudi Arabia looks at your passport, not your residency.
- If your passport is from an eVisa eligible country (the UK, most of Europe, Malaysia, Turkey and others), apply as a citizen of that country.
- If your passport is not on the list (for example Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Egypt or Nigeria), you can still get an Umrah visa through a package. Saudi Arabia has also opened an eVisa route for permanent residents of the United States, the United Kingdom and Schengen countries, with conditions. Forum posts from green card holders show that people do use it successfully, and also that the conditions catch people out.
Before you book flights, tell us your nationality and whether you hold a green card, so we can apply for the right visa.
H-1B, F-1 and other US visa holders
If you live in the United States on a work or student visa, the same principle applies: your passport decides your options.
- An Umrah visa through a package is available to most nationalities.
- Saudi Arabia has allowed holders of valid US visas to apply for the eVisa or a visa on arrival, usually with the condition that the US visa has been used to enter the United States. Rules on which airline you must arrive with have changed over time.
Re-entry to the US matters as much as entry to Saudi Arabia. If you are on an F-1 or H-1B, check that your US visa stamp and documents are valid for your return before you travel. That is outside what Saudi Arabia decides, and it is the part that causes real trouble.
Documents you will need
For each traveler, including children:
- Passport valid for at least six months from your date of arrival, with blank pages
- Passport photo on a white background, recent, without glasses
- Meningitis ACWY vaccination certificate, given at least 10 days before arrival. A conjugate vaccine is valid for five years and a polysaccharide vaccine for three. How to get it in the US
- Green card or US visa copy, if you are not a US citizen
- Return flight and hotel details, which we provide with a package
Every child needs their own visa, whatever their age. Women aged 18 and over can receive an Umrah visa without a mahram under current Saudi regulations. Our guide for women covers the religious side too.
The 1448 season deadlines
The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah published the calendar for the 1448 AH season:
| Milestone | Date |
|---|---|
| Umrah visas began issuing | May 31, 2026 |
| Last day Umrah visas are issued | March 9, 2027 |
| Last day to enter Saudi Arabia on an Umrah visa | March 23, 2027 |
| Last day for Umrah pilgrims to leave | April 7, 2027 |
If you want to spend the end of Ramadan in Makkah, apply well before the March 9 deadline. Applications pile up in the final weeks.
Nusuk permits after you arrive
A visa gets you into the country. The Nusuk app gets you into the rites. You need a permit in Nusuk to perform Umrah in Masjid al-Haram at a set time, and a separate booking to pray in the Rawdah in Madinah.
We set this up with you before you fly, and the Rawdah booking guide explains how the slots work.
Mistakes that delay visas
- Names that do not match the passport. Use your name exactly as printed, including middle names.
- Passports close to expiry. Six months from arrival, not from departure.
- A phone photo against a wall. Plain white background, good light, no shadows.
- An old meningitis certificate. Check the type of vaccine and the date.
- Leaving it until March. The end of the season is when applications queue.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to go to the Saudi Embassy in Washington? No. Umrah and tourist visas for US citizens are applied for online.
Can I perform Umrah more than once on one trip? Yes, as long as you have a valid permit for each Umrah in Nusuk. Permits are issued with time gaps between them.
Can I travel to Riyadh or AlUla on an Umrah visa? Travel within Saudi Arabia is generally allowed on an Umrah visa, but the tourist eVisa is the better fit if sightseeing is a big part of your trip.
If you would like us to handle the visa as part of a package, request a quote and include your nationality and residency status in the notes.
