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Yes, eligible Saudi tourist visa holders can perform Umrah, but a tourist visa cannot be used for Hajj. British citizens may also qualify for the Saudi ETA, which current GOV.UK guidance confirms can be used for Umrah outside the Hajj season, and Saudi Arabia launched a separate dedicated multiple-entry Umrah visa in July 2026.
In short: tourist visa route, permitted for Umrah, not Hajj. ETA route, permitted for Umrah outside Hajj season, not Hajj. Dedicated Umrah visa, built specifically for Umrah, not Hajj. None of these can be used for Hajj itself, and rules can tighten around the Hajj season.
Entry and pilgrimage rules can change, especially around the Hajj season. Check the latest GOV.UK Saudi Arabia travel advice and official Saudi government guidance before travelling.
Yes. The official Saudi tourist eVisa permits Umrah as one of its tourism activities, but it explicitly excludes Hajj. The Saudi eVisa is a one-year, multiple-entry visa allowing a stay of up to 90 days, and it covers events, family visits, leisure and Umrah, not Hajj.
This is the general tourist route, open to eligible nationalities applying through the official Saudi eVisa platform. It is not the same product as the dedicated Umrah visa described further down this guide.
British citizens can use an eligible Saudi visa route for Umrah, but which route applies depends on individual circumstances and current eligibility rules, not a single blanket answer. Some British travellers use the tourist eVisa, others use the Saudi ETA described below. Check which route currently applies to your passport and trip before booking.
Yes, outside the Hajj season. Current GOV.UK guidance confirms the Saudi ETA can be used for tourism, business, study, medical treatment and Umrah outside the Hajj season.
The ETA itself is valid for 730 days from the date of issue and allows multiple entries. Within that 730-day validity window, total time spent in Saudi Arabia is capped at 180 days. Do not confuse the two figures: 730 days is how long the authorisation itself lasts, and 180 days is how much of that time you can actually spend in the country, across one visit or several.
| Visa route | Umrah? | Hajj? | Key point |
| Saudi tourist eVisa | Yes | No | One-year validity, up to 90 days' stay, covers wider tourism too |
| Saudi ETA (UK) | Yes, outside Hajj season | No | 730-day validity, 180 days' total stay, online application before travel |
| Dedicated Umrah visa (from July 2026) | Yes | No | 365-day validity, up to 90 cumulative days, needs a Nusuk service package and permit |
| Hajj visa | No | Yes | The only route that permits Hajj; required separately for pilgrimage |
Fees are not shown in this table, since current official fees vary by route and were not confirmed for every product at the time of writing. Check the fee shown on the official portal you apply through.
Saudi Arabia's official Nusuk platform, run by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, is the government's booking and permit system for Umrah and Ziyarah visits, and it applies across visa types. Nusuk offers packages that include a visa, and separate "packages without visa" for travellers, including tourist eVisa and ETA holders, who already hold one.
Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced a new multiple-entry Umrah visa on 20 July 2026, and it is explicit about this: each visit under that visa requires a service package from an approved Nusuk provider and an Umrah permit obtained through Nusuk before arrival. It is valid for 365 days with up to 90 cumulative days' stay, and it is not activated during the Hajj season. Requirements can differ by visa type and by season, so treat Nusuk as the place to confirm your specific requirement rather than assuming one process fits every visa.
Step 1: Create or access your Nusuk account. Register on the official Nusuk platform using a working email address.
Step 2: Enter your nationality and residence. Nusuk asks for your country of residence and nationality early in registration, since the packages and visa options it shows depend on both.
Step 3: Check your available services. Depending on your visa status, Nusuk shows comprehensive packages that include a visa, packages without a visa for existing visa holders, or custom packages.
Step 4: Follow the current permit requirements. Not every traveller sees identical options. Follow the permit and package requirements Nusuk shows for your specific visa type and travel dates.
Step 5: Keep your confirmation accessible. Save your Umrah permit and any booking confirmations digitally, and keep a copy accessible while you travel.
No. A Saudi tourist visa cannot be used to perform Hajj. The official Nusuk Hajj terms state plainly that pilgrims "will not be able to do Hajj on a tourist visa or any other visa," and Hajj requires an advance Hajj visa arranged through the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah.
Restrictions become significantly tighter around the Hajj season itself, and attempting Hajj without the correct authorisation can lead to serious penalties, including removal from the country. If Hajj is your goal, start with the official Hajj visa route, not a tourist visa, ETA or Umrah visa.
Holding a valid Saudi visa does not mean unrestricted access to every holy site at every time of year. Outside the Hajj season, eligible visa holders performing Umrah can generally access Makkah and Madinah as part of their pilgrimage. Around Hajj preparations and the Hajj season itself, access to Makkah can tighten significantly, and non-Hajj visa holders can face restrictions on entry during that period.
Check current guidance close to your travel dates, particularly if your trip falls near the Hajj season, since site access rules are among the most likely to change seasonally.
• Passport valid at least six months beyond your arrival date, confirmed by GOV.UK
• The correct visa or ETA route for your trip and nationality
• Whether your route needs an Umrah permit through Nusuk
• Current Hajj-season restrictions, if travelling near that period
• Confirmed accommodation and flight details
• Travel insurance, since the Saudi ETA does not include health insurance
• Any medication you need, carried with supporting documentation
• Nusuk account access, set up before you travel
• Digital and printed copies of your passport, visa or ETA, and permit confirmations
Most UK pilgrims arrive through Jeddah or Madinah, with Riyadh relevant for some routings. Follow standard airport immigration procedures, and have your visa or ETA approval and any Nusuk permit ready to show.
The Haramain High Speed Railway connects Makkah, Madinah, Jeddah and related stations, and many pilgrims use it to travel between cities during their trip. It is a practical transport option once you have arrived, not part of the visa process itself.
TravelApp is one of the best UK travel agencies. We help you understand the practical requirements, compare suitable travel arrangements, and organise flights, accommodation and Umrah packages from the UK in one place, including options for pilgrims travelling from Birmingham, London and Manchester.
Planning Umrah from the UK? Explore TravelApp's Umrah packages, compare flights, or check our travel documents checklist before you book, then speak to our team about your travel dates and requirements.
Quick answers to common questions. Reach out if you need more help.
Yes, where the tourist eVisa applies to their trip. The tourist visa permits Umrah but not Hajj. Some British travellers use the Saudi ETA instead, which also covers Umrah outside the Hajj season.
No. Hajj needs its own dedicated Hajj visa, arranged separately.
Yes, outside the Hajj season, per current GOV.UK guidance. The ETA is valid for 730 days with a 180-day total stay across that period.
Requirements vary by visa type. The new dedicated Umrah visa explicitly requires a Nusuk permit and approved service package for every visit. Check Nusuk directly for your specific visa and dates.
Generally yes, outside the Hajj season. Access can tighten significantly around Hajj preparations and the Hajj season itself.
Up to 90 days, within a one-year, multiple-entry visa, per the official Saudi eVisa portal.
730 days from the date of issue, with multiple entries and up to 180 days' total stay across that period, per current GOV.UK guidance.
The platform itself does not show a listed access fee, but Umrah packages and services booked through it are priced separately. Confirm any current costs directly on Nusuk.
