Ministry of Hajj and Umrah in Saudi Arabia has announced a reduction in the validity period for Umrah entry visas, cutting it from three months to one month from the date of issuance.
However, the allowed duration of stay for pilgrims after arriving in the country will remain unchanged at three months, according to media reports.
Since the start of the new Umrah season in early June, over four million foreign pilgrims have obtained Umrah visas. This marks a record for the number of foreign visitors in just five months, surpassing figures from previous seasons.
The ministry has updated certain visa regulations to reflect this change. Under the amended rules, an Umrah visa will be automatically cancelled if the pilgrim does not register for entry into Saudi Arabia within 30 days of issuance. The new rules will be implemented from next week.
It said the decision is part of efforts to simplify procedures for pilgrims and expand the scope of services. It is an important step towards achieving the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.
The ministry also confirmed holders of personal and family visit visas, e-tourist visas, transit visas, work visas, and other types of visas will now be able to perform Umrah.
National Committee for Umrah and Visit Advisor Ahmed Bajaeifer explained the adjustment is part of preparations to manage the expected surge in pilgrims, especially after summer ends and temperatures fall in Makkah and Madinah. The aim is to prevent overcrowding in the two holy cities.
