KSA Umrah Policy 2026 Ramadan
KSA Umrah Policy 2026 Ramadan
The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has recently clarified the regulations for the 1447 AH (2026) season, specifically for those planning to perform Umrah during Ramadan. Since Ramadan 2026 is expected to begin in mid-February, the window for applications and travel is tightening as the Kingdom prepares for the 2026 Hajj season.
Because the Umrah season must wrap up to allow for Hajj preparations, the following firm cutoff dates have been announced:
Last Date for Visa Issuance: March 20, 2026 (1 Shawwal 1447 AH).
Final Arrival Date in KSA: April 3, 2026 (15 Shawwal 1447 AH).
Mandatory Departure Date: April 18, 2026 (1 Dhul Qadah 1447 AH).
Note: Staying beyond this date can result in heavy fines (up to SAR 10,000) or deportation.
Nusuk App is Mandatory: All pilgrims must use the Nusuk app to secure permits for Umrah and for praying in the Rawdah Al-Sharifah. During Ramadan, slots are highly competitive and are often released every 20–30 minutes or immediately after prayer times.
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Permit Limits: To manage the massive crowds, authorities often restrict pilgrims to one Umrah permit during the month of Ramadan to ensure everyone has a fair chance to perform the rituals.
Women-Only Areas: A dedicated Ramadan plan for female worshippers has been introduced at the Grand Mosque in Makkah to enhance accessibility and comfort.
To clear the Holy Cities for Hajj, the Ministry has established a strict "hard exit" policy:
Last Date for Visa Issuance: March 19, 2026 (1 Shawwal 1447 AH).
Final Arrival Deadline: April 2, 2026 (15 Shawwal 1447 AH).
Mandatory Departure Date: April 18, 2026 (1 Dhul Qadah 1447 AH).
Warning: Staying past April 18 is a serious legal violation. Authorities have warned of heavy fines, deportation, and potential future travel bans for those without Hajj permits who remain in the country.
As of February 15, 2026, the Ministry has taken a stricter stance on service quality:
Agency Suspensions: Over 1,800 foreign Umrah travel agencies have had their contracts suspended due to non-compliance with new service standards.
Housing Violations: Several Umrah companies were recently penalized for failing to provide the specific accommodation levels promised to pilgrims.
Tip: Ensure your travel agent is currently "Active" on the Nusuk Masar platform before making any final payments.
Mandatory Nusuk App: You can no longer perform Umrah or enter the Rawdah Al-Sharifah in Madinah without a permit generated via the Nusuk app. Security at the gates now uses QR code scanners for every entry.
No Booking, No Visa: In a shift for 2026, the Ministry now requires a Booking Reference Number (BRN) for both hotel and transportation to be linked to your visa application. "Walk-in" or independent visa applications without pre-verified housing are no longer approved.
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30-Day Entry Rule: Once your visa is issued, you must enter Saudi Arabia within 30 days. If you do not enter within this window, the visa automatically expires.
One-Umrah Limit: During Ramadan, the Ministry generally restricts each pilgrim to one Umrah permit to reduce overcrowding.
Nusuk Slot Strategy: New slots for the Rawdah and Umrah are typically released in the app immediately after prayer times or at the top of the hour (e.g., :01 or :31 past the hour).