Saudi Arabia opens Nusuk applications for 1448 AH Umrah season

Saudi Arabia's 1448 AH Umrah season opens through Nusuk

Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has opened applications for the 1448 AH Umrah season, with visa issuance and pilgrim arrivals beginning May 31, 2026. Entry to Makkah and the ability to book Umrah permits through the Nusuk app start June 1, 2026.

The ministry set firm cutoffs for the season: the last date to issue Umrah visas is March 9, 2027, the final entry date into the Kingdom is March 23, 2027 and all Umrah pilgrims must depart by April 7, 2027. Nusuk now serves as the unified digital gateway for visa applications, permit bookings, accommodation, transportation and Rawdah time slots.

Who the calendar affects

International Muslim pilgrims fall directly under the season's deadlines and the Nusuk permit requirement. Travelers from eVisa-eligible countries can perform Umrah on the standard Saudi tourist eVisa, which runs one year with multiple entries and 90-day stays per visit, though the seasonal entry and departure cutoffs still apply.

Indian passport holders can't apply through Nusuk directly and must route their visa through licensed Umrah agents, then use Nusuk for permits once approved. GCC citizens and residents may perform Umrah year-round and enter through any port, but advance Nusuk permits are still required for access to the holy sites. Expats inside Saudi Arabia book Umrah and Rawdah slots through the same app.

Remote workers combining Umrah with a longer stay must respect whichever limit hits first: the 90-day eVisa cap or the April 7, 2027 Umrah departure deadline. Non-Muslim visitors can't perform Umrah but can still travel on the tourist eVisa under standard rules.

How to apply

Applicants check eligibility, then apply either through the Nusuk Umrah service or the Saudi tourist eVisa portal, selecting Umrah as the purpose. Passports need at least six months of validity from the arrival date.

The eVisa fee bundles mandatory health insurance and is paid by card on the official portal. Once approved, travelers use Nusuk to book accommodation in Makkah and Madinah, intercity transport and specific Umrah and Rawdah time slots.

Read our full Saudi Arabia guide for the complete picture.