Saudi Arabia introduced a multiple entry Umrah visa on 20 July 2026, giving eligible pilgrims more flexibility to return during the year. The headline sounds simple, but the visa does not allow unlimited stays or automatic travel whenever the holder chooses.
It is valid for 365 days from the issue date and allows a cumulative stay of up to 90 days. Cumulative is the important word. The allowance is shared across all visits, not renewed as a fresh 90 days every time a traveller enters.
How the visa works
The visa allows several entries during its validity, subject to the programme rules. Before each journey, the pilgrim needs a service package from an approved provider through the Nusuk Umrah platform. The package cannot extend beyond the remaining visa validity or the remaining stay allowance.
An Umrah permit must also be obtained through the Nusuk app before arrival. A valid visa by itself is not a substitute for the permit and required booking process.
After the pilgrim leaves Saudi Arabia, the visa is deactivated. It can be reactivated for another trip once the current conditions are met again. This step helps connect each visit to a valid service package and permit rather than treating the first booking as approval for the whole year.
The 90 day limit needs careful tracking
A pilgrim who spends 20 days on the first visit has up to 70 days left for later visits, subject to all other rules. Someone who uses the entire allowance cannot return on the same visa simply because the 365 day validity period is still open.
Keep a record of every arrival and departure. Do not rely only on memory, especially when several family members have different travel dates. The number of calendar days counted by the immigration system may not match an informal calculation based on hotel nights.
Plan to leave well before the final permitted day. Flight disruption, illness, or a date mistake can become serious if there is no spare time. Overstaying can affect future travel and may lead to penalties under Saudi rules.
Travel is paused during the Hajj period
The multiple entry Umrah visa is not activated during the Hajj season from 1 Dhu Al Qi’dah until 13 Dhu Al Hijjah. Gregorian dates change each year because the rule follows the Hijri calendar.
Do not assume that a booking website will prevent every invalid itinerary. Check the official calendar and visa status before paying for flights or hotels near the restricted period. Hajj travel has separate permits and conditions, and an Umrah visa cannot be used to bypass them.
Who can apply
Eligibility is updated periodically on the official platform. Living in the UAE does not automatically make every nationality eligible for this visa. Passport nationality, validity, travel history, and current programme conditions may affect the available option.
Open the official Nusuk Umrah platform and follow the route shown for your passport. Be cautious with agents who promise guaranteed approval or say a package is optional. Use a provider that appears through the approved system and make payment only through a traceable channel.
The visa is for Umrah travel and does not give permission to work. Travellers should also review health, vaccination, insurance, and entry requirements that apply on their dates. These conditions can change independently of the visa validity.
Planning more than one visit
Begin with the first trip rather than booking the entire year at once. Confirm the visa issue date, service package, permit, flight, accommodation, and local transport. After returning, check that the departure has been recorded correctly before planning the next activation.
For each later visit, calculate the remaining visa days and remaining stay allowance separately. A person may have plenty of stay days left while the visa itself is close to expiry. The approved package duration must fit within both limits.
Families should keep a folder for each traveller containing a passport copy, visa, permit, package confirmation, flight information, accommodation, insurance, and emergency contacts. Make sure the names match exactly across every record.
Older pilgrims and people with medical conditions may need a more flexible itinerary. Choose accommodation and transport based on walking ability, not only price. Carry medicine in original packaging and confirm any travel restrictions before departure.
Where to verify the rules
The Saudi Press Agency published the official announcement of the multiple entry Umrah visa. Applications, approved packages, and programme conditions are handled through the official Nusuk Umrah platform.
Use those sources again before each trip. A visa can be valid for a year while operational rules, eligible markets, permit availability, or health requirements change during that time. An old confirmation message does not replace a current status check.
The new visa can make repeat visits easier for eligible pilgrims who plan carefully. Its real benefit is flexibility, not the removal of travel rules. Tracking days, arranging each package, and checking the Hajj restriction are what keep that flexibility useful.
Questions people often ask
How long is the multiple entry Umrah visa valid?
It is valid for 365 days from the date it is issued, subject to the programme conditions.
Can I stay for 90 days on every visit?
No. The total allowance is up to 90 days across all visits made with that visa.
Do I need a new service package for each journey?
Yes. Each visit requires a qualifying package from an approved provider through Nusuk Umrah.
Can I use the visa during the Hajj season?
No. It is not activated from 1 Dhu Al Qi’dah through 13 Dhu Al Hijjah.
Does UAE residence guarantee eligibility?
No. Eligibility depends on the passport and current markets supported by the official platform.
