GCC Residents Can Now Perform Umrah on Several Visa Types
Announced earlier this week, the new policy allows travelers to enter the Kingdom and perform Umrah and prayers at the Grand Mosque in Makkah, as long as they secure a valid visa and a permit through the Nusuk app.
To pray in Al-Rawdah Al-Sharifah —the sacred chamber in Madinah—you'll also need a special prayer permit.
Previously:
Pilgrims were required to apply for a specific Umrah visa, valid for 90 days, to enter through Riyadh or Jeddah and travel onward to Makkah. That has now changed for the better.
Visa Options Now Available for Umrah:
Tourist Visa (eVisa): Originally launched in 2022, this allows for a 12-month stay for tourism—including Umrah. GCC residents can apply online in advance.
Transit Visa: For those stopping over in Saudi Arabia en route, this now provides an option to complete Umrah during the layover.
Umrah Visa: Still available and valid, especially for those who prefer going the traditional route.
Business & Family Visit Visas
Though not currently included in the Umrah update, Saudi Arabia has introduced a 'Visiting Investor' visa —a digital option for foreigners to explore business opportunities. In addition, residents can invite family using the Family Visit Visa, especially for first-line relatives like spouses, parents, or children.
While the updated rule makes Umrah more accessible, there's no official update yet on country-specific restrictions for certain nationalities. Stay tuned as those details may emerge soon.
For now, if you're a resident of the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, or Qatar, you're one visa and one app away from your next spiritual journey.
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