Saudi Arabia has announced a major change in its Umrah visa policy, reducing the visa validity period from three months to 30 days. The decision aims to manage the increasing number of pilgrims expected to visit the Kingdom as temperatures become cooler in the coming weeks.
According to the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, the new rule will take effect next week. Those who do not enter Saudi Arabia within 30 days of their visa issuance may face cancellation. However, once inside the Kingdom, the duration of stay remains unchanged — pilgrims can still stay for up to three months.
Officials in Saudi Arabia expect a significant rise in pilgrim arrivals in Makkah and Madinah due to the pleasant weather and improved facilities. Since June, more than four million Umrah visas have already been issued, reflecting the growing global interest in performing Umrah.
To handle the rising number of visitors, Saudi Arabia has also introduced new measures to enhance the pilgrimage experience. These include better accommodation options, improved transportation systems, and strict crowd management plans. The government has also strengthened health and safety protocols to ensure the well-being of all pilgrims.
Authorities reaffirmed their commitment to providing world-class services to guests of the holy cities. They also urged pilgrims to carefully review visa validity dates before making travel arrangements to avoid complications.
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The new visa policy is part of Saudi Arabia’s broader Vision 2030 plan, which seeks to promote religious tourism and make the pilgrimage process more efficient and accessible to Muslims worldwide.
