The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has declared that the validity of Umrah visas will be reduced from three months to one month from the date of issuance.
The new rule, reported by Al Arabiya.net, will take effect next week.
Under the new policy, Umrah visas will be cancelled if the pilgrim does not enter Saudi Arabia within 30 days of issuance.
However, the permitted duration of stay after arrival remains unchanged—pilgrims can still stay for up to three months once they enter the kingdom.
Also read: Saudi Arabia allows Umrah for all visa holders – Check update
Authorities say the change aims to prevent overcrowding in Makkah and Madina during the cooler months. Ahmed Bajafar, adviser to the National Committee for Umrah and Visit, explained that the move will help manage the flow of pilgrims more effectively.
In October, Saudi officials also introduced stricter Umrah rules, including mandatory pre-booking of accommodation and verification of transport bookings on the Nusuk or Masar platforms upon arrival.
The kingdom has clarified that holders of all types of visas are allowed to perform Umrah during their stay.
