Umrah is a pilgrimage to Mecca and Medina, the two holiest cities of Islam in Saudi Arabia. It is almost like the Hajj pilgrimage. However, both pilgrimages require different visas.
Saudi Arabia on Visa: Saudi Arabia has resumed issuing Umrah visas from Tuesday (June 10, 2025), a day after the conclusion of Hajj 2025. Saudi Arabian officials had earlier said that more than 1.6 million Muslims from over 150 countries offered prayers in Mecca during the annual Islamic pilgrimage.
The reinstatement of Umrah visas has cleared the way for international pilgrims to return to the holy cities of Mecca and Medina. The Saudi Arabian Ministry of Hajj and Umrah had already confirmed the start of the new season of Umrah, which means that new batches of foreign pilgrims will come for the pilgrimage.
Saudi Arabia had banned visas of 14 countries
In April, Saudi Arabia suspended the issuance of short-term visas for 14 countries to curb unauthorized Hajj pilgrimages and control inbound travel. These included India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iraq, Nigeria, Jordan, Algeria, Sudan, Ethiopia, Tunisia, Yemen and Morocco.
This temporary ban was imposed to avoid overcrowding during Hajj 2025, which was a temporary suspension on the issuance of Umrah, business and family visit visas to citizens of these 14 countries. This rule is effective till mid-June 2025 with the conclusion of the Hajj pilgrimage.
According to the official calendar of the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, visa issuance will start from June 10. Umrah companies and international agents were instructed to finalize their service agreements before May 27 as per the calendar issued earlier.
What is Umrah?
Umrah is a pilgrimage to Mecca and Medina, the two holiest cities of Islam in Saudi Arabia. It is almost similar to the Hajj pilgrimage, except for the timing. However, both pilgrimages require different visas.
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