Saudi Arabias Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has announced the dates for the 1448 AH Umrah season, with visa issuance resuming on 31 May 2026 once Hajj 2026 concludes (per Arab News).
Key dates for the 1448 AH season
According to the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, Umrah visa issuance restarts on 31 May 2026, and pilgrims can begin entering Makkah and obtain Umrah permits through the Nusuk app from 1 June 2026 (per Khaleej Times). The final date for issuing Umrah visas has been set as 9 March 2027, with the last entry date for pilgrims fixed at 23 March 2027 and the final departure deadline on 7 April 2027 (per Gulf Business).
Pilgrims holding Umrah visas from the previous season must enter Saudi Arabia by 2 April 2026 and leave by 18 April 2026, the ministry confirmed. Overstaying these dates can trigger fines and affect future applications.
Nusuk platform now mandatory
For the 1448 AH season, every Umrah visa must be linked to a verified Nusuk hotel booking in Makkah, Madinah, or both (per Gulf Business). Pre-booked ground transport for airport transfers and inter-city travel between Makkah and Madinah is also mandatory. The Nusuk Umrah platform, operated by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, now handles visa issuance, hotel reservations, transport bookings, and permit allocation in a single workflow.
As of 10 June 2025, pilgrims cannot obtain an Umrah visa without an approved hotel booking on Nusuk Masar, the ministrys booking layer for vetted accommodation (per Wego). Applicants from e-visa-eligible countries can apply directly via Nusuk Umrah, while pilgrims from other markets must work through licensed agents authorised by the Saudi authorities.
Shorter visa validity and tighter compliance
The Umrah visa validity has been reduced from 90 days to 30 days, meaning pilgrims must complete their rituals and return home within a month of visa issuance (per Outlook India). Saudi authorities say the shorter window is intended to curb overstays and improve crowd management around the Grand Mosque in Makkah and the Prophets Mosque in Madinah.
What it means for UAE-based pilgrims
The new rules affect the large pool of Umrah travellers departing from the UAE each year. Travel agencies in Abu Dhabi and Dubai have begun updating their packages to align with the Nusuk-only flow, including verified hotel inventory and pre-booked transfers, before bookings open for the new season.
