Umrah Visa from Pakistan 2026: Rules and Steps

Umrah Visa from Pakistan 2026: Rules, Steps and Health Requirements

Ask anyone in Pakistan who is planning Umrah what worries them most, and the answer is usually the visa. Which one do you need, who applies for it, and what has changed this year? Quite a lot has changed. Bookings now run through Saudi Arabia’s Nusuk platform, a multiple-entry Umrah visa was announced in July 2026, and every pilgrim needs a permit before performing Umrah.

We went through the official Saudi announcements for the 1448 AH season (2026–27) and put the useful parts in one place below.

Which visas allow you to perform Umrah?

You do not always need a special Umrah visa. Nusuk, Saudi Arabia’s official Umrah platform, says Umrah can be performed on these visas:

an Umrah visa, which is how most pilgrims from Pakistan travel
a visit visa, such as a family visit visa
a tourist visa
a work visa, for people who live and work in Saudi Arabia
a transit visa, which is valid for 96 hours after you land and lets you book Umrah during the stopover (it cannot be used for Hajj)

Can Pakistanis get the Saudi tourist eVisa?

With a Pakistani passport alone, no. Pakistan is not on the list of countries that can apply for the tourist eVisa on the official Visit Saudi portal.

There is one way around this. Saudi Arabia announced in 2023 that holders of a valid US, UK or Schengen tourist or business visa, used at least once, can get an eVisa, and so can permanent residents of the US, UK and EU. A tourist visa still cannot be used for Umrah during the Hajj season. Our Saudi Arabia tourist visa guide covers this route in detail.

Key dates for the 1448 AH season

The Saudi Press Agency announced these dates:

31 May 2026: Umrah visas start being issued and pilgrims start arriving
1 June 2026: Nusuk permits and entry to Makkah open
9 March 2027: last day for issuing Umrah visas
23 March 2027: last day to enter Saudi Arabia
7 April 2027: last day to leave

That last visa date falls around the end of Ramadan, the busiest time of the whole year for Umrah. If your family wants to go in Ramadan, do not leave the booking to the last few weeks.

The new multiple-entry Umrah visa

This is the biggest change of 2026. Under the July 2026 announcement, the visa is valid for 365 days from the date it is issued, and you can stay for up to 90 days in total across all your trips.

There is a catch. Each trip needs its own Nusuk package and Umrah permit, booked before you travel. The visa goes inactive every time you leave Saudi Arabia and comes back into use when you book the next package. It also cannot be used during the Hajj period, from 1 Dhul Qadah to 13 Dhul Hijjah.

If you think you might go more than once in the year, ask your travel company which type of visa your booking includes before you pay.

How do Pakistanis apply for an Umrah visa?

There are two routes.

Through an approved Umrah company in Pakistan

Most families still go this way, with one company handling the visa, flights, hotels and transport. Umrah companies in Pakistan are regulated by the Ministry of Religious Affairs (MORA), and in July 2026 the ministry issued new rules on the attestation of Umrah contracts. So before you pay anyone, ask to see the company’s approval and check it with MORA.

Through Nusuk Umrah

Saudi Arabia says pilgrims living outside the Kingdom can apply for an Umrah visa directly on Nusuk Umrah and book either a full package or single services like the visa, hotel or transport. This runs alongside licensed agents. The platform’s terms say direct booking is open only to the countries listed on it, so check whether Pakistan is accepted on the day you apply.

The basic steps

Pick travel dates that fall inside the season dates above.
Check your passport and get your vaccines early (more on that below).
Choose a package with an approved company, or on Nusuk if it is open for your country.
Submit your passport details and documents for the visa.
Once the visa is issued, book your Umrah permit in the Nusuk app for a time that fits your arrival in Makkah.

Health requirements

The Saudi Ministry of Health publishes vaccine rules for pilgrims. The latest version we found is for the 1447 AH season (2026), and it says:

Meningitis (ACYW): a conjugate vaccine taken within the last 5 years, or a polysaccharide vaccine within the last 3 years, given at least 10 days before you arrive.
Polio: Pakistan is on the ministry’s list, so travellers from Pakistan of any age need at least one dose of polio vaccine (bOPV or IPV) at least 4 weeks before arrival. The IPV dose must be from the last 12 months, or the oral dose from the last 6 months.
COVID-19: required for people over 65, pregnant women and people with chronic illnesses.
Yellow fever: not required for travellers from Pakistan.

Keep the vaccination certificates with your passport. The ministry can update these rules for a new season, so check again shortly before you travel.

Nusuk permits in Makkah and Madinah

A visa gets you into the country. Inside, you also need permits.

The Umrah permit is booked in the Nusuk app, and you have to arrive at the time shown on it. If your slot passes, you can book a new one.

For praying in Al-Rawdah at Masjid an-Nabawi in Madinah, there is a separate Rawdah permit. It is free, issued instantly through the Nusuk app or website, and open to visitors as well as citizens and residents.

A small tip: download the Nusuk app and set up your account at home, while you still have time and good internet.

Documents to keep ready

Your company or Nusuk will give you the exact list, but in most cases you will need:

a passport with enough validity left (most companies ask for at least six months, so confirm with yours)
recent passport-size photos
a copy of your CNIC
your meningitis and polio vaccination certificates
the package confirmation showing hotel names in Makkah and Madinah, transport and the return flight

For packing, money and what to expect on the day, see our Umrah preparation checklist for first-time pilgrims.

What the official sources do not say

Some questions come up again and again, but we could not find a clear, current answer on any official Saudi website:

the Umrah visa fee
rules for women travelling without a mahram
age limits for children or older pilgrims
the minimum passport validity

Answers shared on WhatsApp groups and social media are often a year or two old. Ask your company to confirm these points in writing, along with a price breakdown that shows the visa, hotels and transport separately.

How to avoid Umrah scams

Every season, some families lose money to fake agents. A few simple habits help:

Pay only a company you can verify, and always get a written receipt.
Make sure the package names the hotels, their distance from the Haram, the transport and the visa.
Be careful when a price is far below what other companies are asking.
Never hand over your passport without a written record of what was received.

There are more warning signs in our guide on how to avoid visa agent scams in Pakistan.

Related guides

Official sources

Need help planning your Umrah?

Our team helps with Umrah visa documents, flights from Pakistan and hotels in Makkah and Madinah. Send your dates and the number of travellers on WhatsApp (+92 336 4444 999), or see our Umrah page for how it works.

Umrah rules, permits and health requirements can change from season to season. Always confirm the latest details on Nusuk and the official Saudi government websites before you travel.