New Umrah Season 2023

Saudi Arabia announces the start of Umrah season 2023 from July 11, you may be wondering what visa you can apply for to perform Umrah.

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)

According to the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, citizens and residents of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries can now apply for Umrah permits through the “Nusuk” or “Tawakkalna” apps.

For those outside the GCC area, Umrah permits will start being issued from the start of the new Islamic year.

Nusuk

The Nusuk platform and mobile application can be used to obtain the necessary permits to perform Umrah and visit Al Rawda Al Sharif at the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah, while the Tawakkalna application ensures that the applicant meets the necessary health requirements.

What is the Nusuk platform?
Available for Apple and Android devices, the ‘Nusuk’ app is the ‘Official Guide to Mecca and Medina’ and provides pilgrims with information on immigration requirements, Umrah group packages, rituals to be observed during Umrah and details of various sites in Mecca and Medina that people can visit.

Umrah permit reservation in Nusuk application.
Once your eVisa or Umrah visa is issued, you need to book your Umrah permit from the available dates in the Nusuk app. Similarly, when you are in Medina at the Prophet’s [PBUH] Mosque, you will need permission to pray in Al Rawda Al Sharifa, the area in the mosque where the Prophet Muhammad’s [PBUH] tomb is located.

You must register as an international visitor in the application and enter your visa number. Next, you will need to book the date and time for Umrah. Once you do, you will receive a Quick Response (QR) code for the permit, reservation number, and time slot.

Five Saudi visas that will allow you to perform Umrah

1. Transit visa
Did you book your flight through one of the Saudi Arabian airlines – Saudia or flynas? You then get a free transit visa that allows you to stay in the country for up to four days and also perform Umrah.

The visa is valid for three months. This means that you can apply for a visa up to 90 days before your trip.

According to Saudia, a free night will be offered along with the ticket. You will then be asked for details of where you want to stop over – Saudi Arabia has six international airports and depending on your itinerary you will be offered the available options – and how many days you want to stay, with a maximum of four days allowed.

2. eVisa for expatriates in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.
If you are an expatriate living in the UAE or any of the GCC countries, you can apply for a Saudi eVisa regardless of your profession. You can apply for a multiple or single entry visa.

You can perform Umrah on this visa at any time of the year, except during the Hajj period.

In addition, all first-degree relatives of a GCC resident and domestic workers visiting with their sponsors can obtain an eVisa. However, according to the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) website, dependents of an expat must have a valid residence visa from a GCC country.

Your proof of residence must be valid for at least three months and your passport should be valid for at least six months.

To apply for a visa, you must visit MOFA’s online visa platform – visa.mofa.gov.sa.

An e-Visa for GCC residents’ costs SR300 (Dh293.25) plus the cost of the health insurance fee. So the total cost will vary depending on the chosen health insurance.

3. “Instant eVisa” for UK, US or Schengen visa holders
If you hold a UK, US or Schengen tourist visa or are a permanent resident of a European Union (EU) country, you are eligible for an instant eVisa to Saudi Arabia.

Holders of valid tourist or business visas from the UK, US or the Schengen area have been granted an exemption, provided the visa has been used at least once to enter the issuing country.

You also have the option to perform Umrah throughout the year when you visit Saudi Arabia on this visa, except for the Hajj period.

4. Visa for arrival in Saudi Arabia
According to the Saudi Ministry of Tourism, US, UK and Schengen visa holders and their first-degree relatives are also eligible for a visa on arrival.

If you do not have a visit visa or residence permit from the European Union, Schengen Area, USA or UK, then there are over 40 countries eligible for a visa on arrival in Saudi Arabia. Click here to find your country.

According to Visit Saudi, once you arrive at your destination airport or port of entry in Saudi Arabia, use the self-service kiosk or go directly to the passport control office and apply for a visa on arrival.

If you can get a visa on arrival, you will be able to perform Umrah throughout the year, except for the Hajj period.

5. Saudi Investor eVisa
Foreign investors visiting Saudi Arabia can apply for a “guest investor” eVisa, which allows holders to stay in the country for up to 90 days without a sponsor. You can apply for an Investor eVisa through the official MOFA visa platform – visa.mofa.gov.sa.

Eligible foreign investors can apply for a single or multiple entry eVisa and also perform Umrah.

According to Saudi Arabia’s MOFA, the initial stage of the “visiting investor” eVisa is open to investors originating from selected countries. You can find out if you can apply for a business visa without sponsors when you select your nationality in the online application.

The cost of an eVisa varies depending on the duration and validity of the visa and the type of health insurance.

Not eligible for any of these options? Here are your three options.
If you cannot apply for any of these visas or are not flying via a Saudi airline, here are your options according to the Nusuk platform:

1. Visa through Umrah package providers
You can obtain an Umrah visa by booking a package online through one of Nusuk’s approved service providers or by visiting a local travel agency that is registered to book Umrah packages.

All approved Umrah package providers can be found on this website: https://www.nusuk.sa/partners. Once you click on any of the packages, you will find the details and contact details of the company or agency.

2. Authorized Visa Offices – “Tasheer”
If your nationality does not qualify for an eVisa or Visa on Arrival and you want to stay in Saudi Arabia for more than four days, you can apply for a visa through the official Tasheer Umrah platform – umrah.tasheer.com

According to the platform, it is “an electronic portal linked to Saudi Arabia’s central reservation system owned by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, which allows individual Umrah pilgrims who are outside Saudi Arabia to check and select accommodation, transportation, insurance as well as any other services.”

Here are the steps to book an Umrah package through Tasheer:

1. On the home page of the website, fill in your itinerary – for example, destination, arrival date, duration in Mecca, how many guests are traveling with you, select the country of stay or your nationality.
2. Click the “Search” button.
3. Further, Umrah package providers will be recommended to you based on the information provided.
4. Pay for the package online.
5. Next, you will be redirected to fill out the visa form. Later the visa will be issued by MOFA.
3. Application through the Saudi Embassy or Consulate

3. Application through the Saudi Embassy or Consulate
You also have the option to apply for an Umrah visa through the Saudi embassy or consulate in your home country.