Umrah is a special journey for Muslims. It is a time to pray, feel close to God, and visit the holy cities of Mecca and Medina. To go on this journey, you must have a special travel permission called an Umrah visa. In this article I will tell you all about the important papers you need.
There are different types of visas that let you perform Umrah:
This visa is for performing the Umrah rituals. It usually allows you to stay around 15 days and is not for work or living there.
If you have a tourist e‑visa from Saudi Arabia, you can still do Umrah. This visa allows you to visit holy sites and other cities, giving you more flexibility.
These are the essential papers you must prepare before applying for your Umrah visa.
You need a valid passport. It should be good for at least 6 months from your travel date. It also should have 2 empty pages for visa stamps.
Passport-Size Photo
Bring one recent color photo with a white background. Your face should fill most of the frame, and you must look straight at the camera. No eyeglasses or hats allowed.
Fill out the Umrah visa form correctly. Use black ink or print it out. Then give it to a travel agency licensed by Saudi Arabia.
You must show a round‑trip ticket or a confirmed exit ticket. This proves you plan to leave after your stay.
Saudi Arabia now needs proof of where you will sleep. This includes hotel bookings or a letter from your host, arranged through official agencies.
To protect everyone, Saudi Arabia asks for proof of certain vaccinations before you travel.
You need a meningococcal meningitis (ACYW135) vaccination certificate. It must be taken at least 10 days before you travel and still be valid.
You might also need vaccines for polio (for younger kids), seasonal flu, or yellow fever, based on your country.
Your visa needs travel insurance. It covers medical costs, flight delays, or any emergencies during your stay .
If you just became Muslim or your passport lacks a Muslim name, bring a certificate from a mosque or Islamic center that confirms your faith.
Women and children must follow extra rules when applying for an Umrah visa, especially when traveling alone.
Women under 45 must travel with a mahram (a male relative such as father, husband, or brother). You must include a certificate of this relationship and the mahram must also fill part of the form.
Women over 45 may travel without a mahram if they are with a travel group. But, they need a no‑objection letter from their mahram stating it is okay.
Children under 18 must travel with a parent or mahram. If traveling with only one parent, you need a notarized permission letter from the other parent .
You must go through approved agents and show proof of bookings to complete your visa application.
You must apply through a licensed agent who is contracted with a Saudi partner. They will guide you through the process and submit your papers.
Your agent needs to arrange a full travel package from an approved Saudi Umrah company. This includes your flight, hotel, transport, and insurance.
If you are from a country on the visa-exempt list (about 63 countries), you can apply online for a tourist e‑visa. You upload your documents, pay fees, and wait for approval, usually in 1–4 days.
Once approved, you must download Tawakkalna and Etmarna apps. They store your health data and manage your prayer permits while in Saudi Arabia.
It’s easy to make mistakes during this process. Here are common errors and how to fix them:
Using a passport that expires in less than 6 months is not allowed. Don’t forget to leave two blank visa pages.
Photos must have a white background, show your whole face, and not include glasses or hats.
Review all details on the application. Names and passport numbers must match exactly.
Make sure your certificates are valid, have the right details, and are dated properly.
Always get insurance through your travel agent. Don’t forget to upload flight and hotel details.
Always use an agency licensed by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah. Fake agents can cause big problems.
Saudi Arabia cares a lot about making sure pilgrims are safe and comfortable. These rules help keep crowd levels safe, protect your health, and make sure you have a good stay.
The government runs the Nusuk platform to manage bookings and visas for Hajj and Umrah.
They also check if people have hotel rooms using official systems. This helps prevent too many pilgrims from gathering in one spot.
Health checks prevent sickness from spreading in big crowds. That is how these vaccines keep everyone healthy.
Start early: Booking and applying can take time.
Triple check: Make sure your forms, photos, and health documents are correct.
Stay updated: Rules may change, so check with your travel agency or the Saudi embassy.
Save copies: Keep your passport, visa, vaccination papers, and insurance in a safe spot. Also, have a digital backup.
Going to Umrah is a journey in both heart and soul. To make it smooth, you need the right documents. Here is a quick reminder:
Passport (valid 6+ months, 2 empty pages)
Photo (white background, full face)
Filled application through licensed agent
Flight tickets (round trip)
Hotel booking or housing plan
Vaccines (meningitis and any other needed)
Health insurance
Faith proof (if convert)
Mahram or group consent for women
Permission for minors
As long as you prepare and follow each step, your Umrah visa request will go smoothly. May your journey be full of peace, blessings, and heartfelt prayers.
Yes, you can book Umrah from the UK for your Pakistani relatives or parents, and it’s more common than you might think. With digital systems in place and online visa processing available, you can easily arrange the full Umrah journey for your loved ones in Pakistan even while living abroad. In this article, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know: T
Performing Umrah for the first time is a life-changing experience for any Muslim. The joy of visiting the House of Allah, the emotions of standing in front of the Kaaba, and the spiritual peace one feels in the Holy Cities of Makkah and Madinah are indescribable. However, many first-time pilgrims feel overwhelmed with the steps, rituals, and preparations required for Umrah. This guide i
Give us a minute of your time and we will help you out!
