How to Apply for an Umrah Visa from the UK 2026

If you are a UK resident and are making a pilgrimage to Makkah and Madinah, the first step in the process is obtaining your Umrah visa. The good news is that it has recently become easier to obtain for British passport holders; however, there are new digital requirements. This guide includes everything you need to know to complete the application, the costs, and how to avoid mistakes.

Do UK Citizens Need a Umrah Visa Different from Other Visa Holders?

Not usually. British passport holders are eligible for the Saudi tourist eVisa. The Saudi tourist eVisa, since 2019, has allowed British passport holders to perform Umrah. Therefore, the majority of UK pilgrims do not need to apply for a traditional Umrah visa.

There are two main ways into Saudi Arabia for Umrah from the UK:

1. The Saudi tourist eVisa:  The Saudi tourist eVisa is applied for online, is fully independent, and is valid for one year.
2. A traditional Umrah visa:  A traditional Umrah visa is typically used by UK residents who do not hold a British passport.

How to Apply for the eVisa as a UK Resident Travelling to Saudi Arabia

1. Go to the official Saudi eVisa portal and, when prompted, indicate that your nationality is the United Kingdom.
2. Enter your passport along with your personal details exactly as they appear on your passport, along with your travel dates.
3. Upload a digital passport picture and choose the purpose of your travel (Umrah/Tourism).
4. The visa fee can be paid online via card.
5. Your eVisa will be sent to you via email. Most UK applicants receive theirs within 24 hours. It is, however, possible for it to take up to 72 hours.
6. Sign up on the Nusuk platform. This is now required for every pilgrim, visa type notwithstanding. Nusuk allows you to book your Umrah permit, mosque entry scheduling, and the Rawdah appointment in Madinah. Your eVisa does not permit you entry to the mosque.

Applying Through a Licensed Travel Agent

Many pilgrims prefer hiring a UK travel agency to handle the process for them. This is a great option for first-time pilgrims, larger groups, and families, and great travel agents will:

• Confirm that you are eligible and clarify the appropriate visa route for you.
• Complete your application as well as your Nusuk registration.
• Bundle your visa, flights, hotels, and ground transport together.
• Make sure to book supporting accommodation that is pre-verified on Nusuk. In a change of policy, the Saudi authorities no longer accept applications that do not pre-book licensed accommodation.
• Tackle any potential rejection caused by a document or spelling error.

This is why you would choose a specialist such as Hajj and Umrah Experts. For £49 per person, they have a fast Umrah visa service and complete the application for you, and they have reported a high number of approved applications.

What You Need to Apply for an Umrah Visa

• An Umrah visa application requires several supporting documents, including:
• A passport that is valid for at least six months with a couple of blank pages
• Passport photos with a white background. Applicants traveling through an agent typically need four.
• Completed visa application form
• Documentation of the relationship for women under 45 traveling with a male mahram (guardian). This requirement is waived for those taking the tourist eVisa.
• A meningococcal ACWY vaccination certificate, issued at least 10 days before travel

Cost of an Umrah Visa for UK Citizens

There are different ways to obtain a visa, and costs vary. Some examples are:

• Tourist eVisa (self-applied) £45-£130: This cost depends on the source of the visa and whether medical insurance is included.
• Visa obtained through a licensed agent: Hajj and Umrah Experts offers this visa for £49. This is included as part of the Umrah package.
• Express/urgent processing: Can cost over £200 for guaranteed fast processing.

In addition to the visa, most pilgrims purchase a full package that includes flights, hotels, and transport.

All packages include flights from the UK to Saudi Arabia, the Saudi visa, Umrah hotel stays, and transport in Madinah and Makkah. All packages come with 24/7 customer service and are ATOL Protected (Licence 11375), so the money is legally protected. The company has been certified by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, which is very important now because the absence of licensing allows agents to get whole applications rejected.

New Rules to Know Before You Apply (2026)

• Accommodation needs to be booked in advance and verified by Nusuk for visa applications to be approved. Hotel bookings can no longer be completed after arriving in Saudi Arabia.
• Nusuk Registration is needed for all, regardless of how you entered Saudi Arabia, whether using an eVisa, a traditional Umrah visa, or another valid type of visa to Saudi Arabia.
• Your Umrah visa is typically valid for 30 days after issuance, not on your date of entry, so don't apply for it too early.
• Passport validity is determined from your application, not when you arrive in Saudi Arabia, so don't cut it too close.
• Only use agents who are licensed by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah. The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office has a history of repeatedly warning about Hajj and Umrah fraud scams which target British Muslims, so you should definitely take the time to double-check this.
• Every year, there is a period when visa applications are put on hold for a few weeks, and you need to plan for that if your travel is close to that period.

Common Mistakes That Cause Rejections

• Name or spelling mismatches on your passport and application
• Booking any accommodation or transport with suppliers that are not Nusuk compliant
• Submitting an application with a passport that will not meet the 6-month passport validity requirement by the time you travel
• Delaying the meningitis vaccination until the last moment, as it must be administered at least 10 days in advance to be eligible for travel
• Booking through a "visa agent" who is unlicensed and offers visas that are too cheap or too good to be true

Why Book With a Licensed UK Agency Instead of DIY?

If you are confident navigating the portal and Nusuk on your own, you are more than welcome to apply for the eVisa independently. However, for many pilgrims, especially families, first-timers, and anyone who is booking a complete package that includes flights and hotels, going with an established, ATOL-protected agency alleviates the risk and most of the workload.

Hajj and Umrah Experts, trading as Aerolinks Travel Ltd (UK Reg No. 09303127), has been in the travel business for over 10 years and shares a few things to consider when choosing your travel agency:

• ATOL Protected (License 11375) - can be checked on atol.org.uk.
• Approved by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah.
• Transparent prices with no hidden extra costs.
• Free wheelchairs and cots are available on request for families in need.
• 24/7 (UK) Customer Support.
• They will beat any like-for-like genuine quotes.

Final Thoughts

Most UK Muslims can apply for Umrah more easily and quickly by using the Saudi tourist eVisa and the Nusuk registration, completely online. However, if you prefer avoiding the portal, document uploads, and the new accommodation-verification rules, a licensed UK agency can take care of all the visa and travel arrangements, ATOL- and Ministry-certified, for a reasonable price.

Whichever way you go, book early, check all documents against your passport, and go through operators licensed by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah.