How to get an Umrah visa: application steps, required documents and the Nusuk permit

Can you get an Umrah visa as an individual?

Yes, in line with the decisions of the official Saudi authorities, it is entirely possible to get an Umrah visa as an individual. Without any obligation to be tied to a tour agency or a group, you can submit your individual application with your own passport through e-visa systems or authorised digital agencies.

In traditional methods, visa procedures were handled only through agency packages, whereas today individual travellers can manage their flight tickets, hotels and visas independently. Authorised platforms such as Zair follow up consulate and system applications digitally on your behalf and send your visa to your email address.

How many days does an Umrah visa take?

Umrah and tourist visas processed digitally are approved in an average of 1 to 3 working days. Depending on system load, applications can sometimes be completed within a few hours. To guard against any system delays, it is recommended to complete the application at least 7–10 days before the departure date.

For the visa approval process to go smoothly, your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the date you enter Saudi Arabia. A biometric photo with a white background that is up to date, and identity details that match your passport exactly, speed up the approval process.

Umrah visa or tourist visa?

Umrah can be performed with either the standard Umrah visa or the Saudi Arabia tourist visa (e-Visa). While the Umrah visa gives a single-entry legal permit focused directly on worship, the tourist visa, with a validity of 1 year and multiple entries of up to 90 days, gives you the flexibility to visit different cities.

Official details to consider when choosing a visa type:

• Holders of a Schengen, US or UK visa: Passport holders with a valid Schengen, US or UK visa that has been used at least once can apply directly for the Saudi Arabia tourist e-visa.
• Direct Umrah visa: For holders of a green passport or a standard burgundy passport, the Umrah visa obtained through authorised agencies is the safest route, covering health insurance and worship permits.

How do you get an Umrah visa through Diyanet?

To get an Umrah visa through Diyanet, Turkey’s Presidency of Religious Affairs, you need to apply through the In-Service Training and Umrah Registration system on Diyanet’s e-Devlet gateway and choose one of the packages announced by the institution. Visa approvals are obtained collectively through the integration of Diyanet and the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah.

Since visas in Diyanet-organised trips are handled through group lists, the option to change individual dates is limited. For travellers who want to set their own travel dates and choose their own flight time and hotel, individual visa channels offer far more room to manoeuvre.

What is the difference between an Umrah visa and a Nusuk permit?

The Umrah visa is the border permit document that lets you legally enter Saudi Arabia; a Nusuk appointment is the time-slotted area permit obtained through the mobile app to visit the Rawdah in the Prophet’s Mosque (Masjid an-Nabawi) and to perform Umrah in Mecca. The visa manages entry into the country, while Nusuk manages your appointment in the place of worship.

Practical details on using the Nusuk app:

• Activating the system: After downloading the Nusuk app to your phone, you register with your visa number and passport details. The appointment screen usually becomes active after the visa is approved and you have entered the country.
• Rawdah appointment: To visit the Rawdah in the Prophet’s Mosque, you must choose a day and time through Nusuk. Visitors without an appointment are not admitted.

What documents are required for an Umrah visa?

With digitalisation, the documents requested for an Umrah visa application have become much simpler. The basic documents that need to be scanned or submitted during the application are:

• Passport: A clear scan of the photo page of a chip passport valid for at least 6 months from your entry to Saudi Arabia.
• Biometric photo: A passport-style/biometric photo in digital format, taken within the last 6 months against a white background.
• Turkish ID card: A clear image of the front and back of the ID card.
• Compulsory health insurance: The Covid and general health insurance policy that the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah assigns automatically through the system along with the visa approval.

Plan your Umrah with your own calendar

Don’t let visa applications and paperwork procedures put you off. To go on Umrah, you don’t have to follow the group calendars of tour agencies or wait weeks in a visa queue.

On Zair you choose your own departure and return dates, how far your hotel is from the Haram on foot, and your high-speed train tickets. We handle your visa and application follow-up in full; you simply focus on your worship.