The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has clarified that pilgrims holding a valid one-year multiple-entry Umrah visa cannot simply board a flight to Mecca whenever they choose. A new service package and a separate Umrah permit are required before each individual visit.
New Service Package Required for Each Trip
Pilgrims must book an approved service package through a licensed Umrah service provider on the Nusuk platform ahead of every trip. The package must cover the specific dates of the planned visit and cannot exceed the visa's remaining validity period, according to NDTV reports.
In addition to the service package, a fresh Umrah permit must be obtained through the Nusuk app before travelling. The permit dates must align exactly with the approved service package. This means that a visa that is still technically active is not, on its own, sufficient to travel for another Umrah visit.
First-Time Applicants and Entry Requirements
For first-time applicants, the process begins with purchasing an approved service package through the Nusuk platform. The visa application follows, along with the required eligibility checks. Travellers must also continue to meet all other Saudi entry requirements at the time of each visit.
The multiple-entry Umrah visa, introduced in July 2026, remains valid for 365 days from the date it is issued. Within that window, eligible pilgrims can enter Saudi Arabia more than once.
The 90-Day Limit Pilgrims Should Know
One key detail is the distinction between the visa's validity and the total time allowed in the country. The one-year period simply refers to how long multiple entries are permitted. The total number of days a pilgrim can actually spend inside Saudi Arabia across all combined visits is capped at 90 days.
The ministry said the clarification is intended to ensure that accommodation, transport and other support services are properly arranged for each individual visit, rather than leaving pilgrims to arrive without confirmed arrangements in place. For anyone planning more than one Umrah trip within a single visa year, the booking and permit process will need to be completed from the beginning each time before departure.
