Saudi Arabia shortens Umrah visa validity to 30 days for better crowd management

Saudi Arabia has announced a major change in its Umrah visa policy, reducing the visa validity period from three months to 30 days. The new regulation aims to better manage the rising number of pilgrims expected to visit the Kingdom as temperatures drop in the coming weeks.

The updated rule will come into effect next week. Those who fail to enter Saudi Arabia within 30 days of their Umrah visa issuance risk having their visas cancelled.

However, authorities clarified that the duration of stay remains unchanged, once inside the Kingdom, Umrah pilgrims can still stay for up to three months.

Officials expect a significant increase in pilgrim arrivals in Makkah and Madinah, as the cooler weather encourages more visitors to perform Umrah. Since June, over four million Umrah visas have already been issued.

To accommodate the growing influx, Saudi authorities are implementing additional measures, including enhanced accommodation facilities, improved transport services, and stricter crowd management systems to ensure a smooth and safe pilgrimage experience.