Saudi Arabia Reduces Umrah Entry Visa Validity to One Month

Saudi Arabia has shortened the validity period of the Umrah entry visa from three months to one month from the date of issuance, according to the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah. However, pilgrims will still be allowed to stay in the kingdom for up to three months after their arrival.
The ministry announced that the new regulation will take effect next week. Under the updated rules, Umrah visas will be cancelled automatically if the pilgrim does not register for entry into Saudi Arabia within 30 days of issuance.
Officials said the move aims to manage the growing number of pilgrims and ensure smoother organization during the busy season. Over four million Umrah visas have already been issued since the new season began in June, marking a record influx of visitors.
Ahmed Bajaeifer, an advisor to the National Committee for Umrah and Visit, noted that the decision aligns with efforts to prevent overcrowding in Makkah and Madinah as cooler weather draws more worshippers.