Written and reviewed by the VistoRoute visa research team · Facts last verified November 2026 · VistoRoute is a private visa assistance company and is not affiliated with any visa authority.
Umrah is permitted — but the tourist eVisa is not a Hajj permit
The eVisa platform states plainly that the tourist visa allows Umrah excluding Hajj. For most of the year that is exactly what it sounds like: an eligible passport holder arrives on the tourist eVisa, obtains a Umrah permit through the Nusuk platform, and performs Umrah in Makkah. Millions of travelers now do this every year instead of applying for older purpose-specific visas.
Two limits frame the permission. The first is the season: during the Hajj period, Makkah is closed to visit-visa holders — in the 1446 AH season this closure ran from roughly 13 April to 31 May 2025, and comparable windows apply each year, with exact dates announced seasonally. The second is the permit: a Umrah permit from the Nusuk platform is required to perform Umrah, and it is separate from the visa itself — verified 31 October 2026.
Umrah on a tourist eVisa — the rules in one table
| Rule | Detail |
|---|---|
| Visa | Tourist eVisa permits Umrah excluding Hajj, per the published visa terms |
| Umrah permit | A Umrah permit via the Nusuk platform is required to perform Umrah |
| Season | Makkah is closed to visit-visa holders during the Hajj season (2025's 1446 AH window ran ~13 April – 31 May) |
| Hajj | Explicitly excluded — Hajj requires its own authorisation through approved channels |
| Penalties | Entering or staying in Makkah on a visit visa during Hajj season can attract fines up to SAR 20,000 |
| Holy sites | Non-Muslims are not permitted to enter the Holy Mosque in Makkah or the Prophet's Mosque in Madinah |
| Dates | Season dates shift every year with the Islamic calendar — never rely on last year's dates |
Per the visa authority's published visa terms and seasonal enforcement announcements — verified 31 October 2026.
How the Nusuk permit works in practice
Nusuk is the pilgrim-services platform where Umrah permits are issued. After your visa is secured, you create an account, enter your trip details and request a Umrah permit for a specific date and time window. The permit is free of charge, is issued against your passport details, and is checked before entry to perform Umrah. Permits are date-specific, so travelers who arrive in Makkah without one typically book the next available slot from their hotel.
The season boundary is the other planning pillar. Because the Islamic calendar shifts, "Hajj season" lands roughly 11 days earlier each Gregorian year, and the Makkah closure for visit-visa holders moves with it. Never transfer last year's dates to this year's plans — check the current season announcement before booking, and remember that the closure covers entry to and stay in Makkah, not merely the Hajj rituals themselves.
Enforcement is real, not theoretical. The announced penalty regime includes fines of up to SAR 20,000 for visit-visa holders found in Makkah during the season, with deportation and multi-year bans reported for residents and overstayers — see our Hajj and Makkah rules guide for the full penalty table.
Religious-travel preparation
- Confirm that the current visa route permits your intended Umrah travel dates.
- Check the current Hajj-season dates and Makkah access restrictions before booking.
- Plan to obtain the Nusuk Umrah permit after arrival or in advance, against your passport details.
- Carry the eVisa and the same passport used in the application; follow local instructions at holy sites.
Related Saudi Arabia guides
Saudi Arabia FAQs
Does the tourist eVisa allow Umrah?
The eVisa platform says Umrah is permitted under the tourist visa, excluding Hajj — verified 31 October 2026.
Do I need a permit for Umrah?
Yes. A Umrah permit issued through the Nusuk platform is required to perform Umrah. It is free and separate from the visa.
Does it allow Hajj?
No. The eVisa platform explicitly excludes Hajj, and Hajj has its own booking and authorisation system.
When is Makkah closed to tourist eVisa holders?
During the Hajj season. The 1446 AH closure ran roughly 13 April to 31 May 2025; each year's exact dates are announced seasonally, so always check the current window before booking.
What is the penalty for being in Makkah during Hajj on a visit visa?
Fines of up to SAR 20,000 are announced for visit-visa holders who enter or stay in Makkah during the season, with deportation and bans reported for residents and overstayers.
Planning Umrah with a Saudi tourist eVisa?
Verify current religious and seasonal rules before submitting or traveling.
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