Yes — British passport holders need a visa to perform Umrah in Saudi Arabia, and in 2026 most UK pilgrims use the Saudi tourist eVisa, which now covers Umrah. You no longer need a special pilgrimage-only visa for Umrah: a tourist visa is accepted for Umrah at any time of year except during the Hajj season. This guide explains every route open to UK travellers, what each one costs, the documents you need, and how to apply.
Do UK pilgrims need a visa for Umrah?
Britain is one of around 66 countries whose citizens can obtain a Saudi visa electronically, so as a UK passport holder you have three practical routes to a visa that allows Umrah:
- Saudi tourist eVisa — applied for online before you travel; the route most UK pilgrims use.
- Electronic Visa Waiver (EVW) — a quick online authorisation for eligible nationals, including British citizens.
- Visa on arrival — issued at major Saudi airports for eligible travellers.
All three are tourist permissions that allow you to perform Umrah, visit Makkah and Madinah, and travel within the Kingdom. The one thing they do not cover is Hajj, which requires its own separate Hajj visa. When you book an Umrah package with Insha Travel, we guide you through the right visa route for your trip.
The Saudi tourist eVisa
The Saudi tourist eVisa is the main route for UK pilgrims. It is a one-year, multiple-entry visa that lets you stay up to 90 days per visit, and it is valid for tourism and Umrah. You apply online through the official Saudi eVisa portal or the Nusuk app and usually receive approval within minutes to a few days.
- Validity: 1 year, multiple entry.
- Stay: up to 90 days at a time.
- Cost: around SAR 535, roughly £114, which includes the visa fee and compulsory travel health insurance.
- Insurance: the fee bundles medical cover of up to SAR 100,000.
Because it is multiple-entry and valid for a full year, the eVisa suits pilgrims who may perform Umrah more than once, or who want to combine Umrah with a wider visit.
The Electronic Visa Waiver (EVW)
The Electronic Visa Waiver is a streamlined online authorisation available to British citizens and a small group of other nationalities. You complete a short application on the official UK-facing Saudi EVW service before you fly.
- Validity: single entry.
- Stay: up to 6 months from the date of issue.
- Apply: at least 48 hours before your flight departs.
- Insurance: not included — arrange your own travel and medical insurance.
The EVW is convenient for a one-off Umrah trip, but unlike the eVisa it is single entry and does not bundle insurance, so factor cover into your budget.
Visa on arrival
Eligible travellers, including UK citizens, can also obtain a visa on arrival at major Saudi airports such as Jeddah, Riyadh, Madinah and Dammam. The fee is around SAR 480 (about £102) plus roughly SAR 180 (about £38) for compulsory insurance. While this option exists, most UK pilgrims prefer to secure an eVisa or EVW in advance to avoid airport queues and the risk of any issue on landing.
What documents do you need?
Whichever route you choose, prepare the following before you apply:
- Passport valid for at least 6 months from your date of entry into Saudi Arabia.
- A recent passport-style photograph and personal details matching your passport.
- Confirmed return flights and accommodation — your Umrah package covers both.
- Travel and medical insurance — included in the eVisa fee; arranged separately for the EVW.
- Proof of meningitis vaccination (see below).
Vaccinations for Umrah
Saudi Arabia requires all Umrah and Hajj pilgrims to have the Meningococcal ACWY (quadrivalent) vaccine. Have it at least 10 days before travel; a single dose is valid for 3 years. Carry your vaccination certificate, as it can be checked on entry. Depending on your health and travel history, your GP or a travel clinic may also recommend seasonal flu and other routine vaccines — check current NHS and gov.uk travel advice before you go.
Who can perform Umrah, and the rules on age and Mahram
Adults aged 18 and over can travel for Umrah independently. Travellers under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Since 2022, women can perform Umrah without a Mahram (male guardian) — Saudi Arabia removed the requirement, so women may travel alone or in a group. We arrange dedicated women's Umrah packages and family Umrah packages to suit every group.
Umrah visa vs Hajj visa
An Umrah-eligible tourist visa is not the same as a Hajj visa. The tourist eVisa, EVW and visa on arrival all allow Umrah throughout the year, but Hajj — performed in the month of Dhul-Hijjah — requires a separate, dedicated Hajj visa arranged through approved channels. If you intend to perform Hajj, do not rely on a tourist visa.
How to apply for your Umrah visa
- Choose your route — eVisa for flexibility and bundled insurance, EVW for a quick single trip, or visa on arrival.
- Check your passport has at least 6 months' validity from your entry date.
- Get your ACWY vaccine at least 10 days before you fly and keep the certificate.
- Apply online via the official Saudi eVisa portal, the Nusuk app, or the EVW service — never through unofficial resellers.
- Travel once approved, with your visa, vaccination certificate and package documents to hand.
The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah and the official Nusuk platform are the authoritative sources for pilgrimage permissions and services. When you book with us, our team checks your eligibility and points you to the correct official application so nothing is left to chance.
Saudi entry rules for UK passport holders
A few entry points catch UK pilgrims out, so check these before you fly:
- No physical visa sticker. The eVisa and EVW are electronic and linked to your passport, so there is no stamp to collect — keep a printed and digital copy to show on arrival.
- Previous travel to Israel is not a bar. Saudi Arabia admits visitors whose passports carry Israeli stamps, and it does not affect your Umrah visa.
- Dual nationals should enter and leave on the same passport used to apply for the visa, as Saudi Arabia processes you on that document.
- Passport validity must be at least 6 months from your date of entry, with two blank pages.
Conduct and customs rules in Saudi Arabia
Saudi law applies to every visitor and is stricter than UK law. Following these rules keeps your pilgrimage trouble-free:
- Dress modestly. Cover shoulders and knees in public; women need not wear an abaya, though many choose loose, modest clothing, and ihram applies once you begin Umrah.
- Alcohol and drugs are banned. Bringing in or using alcohol, pork or narcotics is illegal, and drug offences carry severe penalties — leave all of it at home.
- Photography. Do not photograph people without permission or take pictures of government and military sites; photography inside the Haram is restricted.
- Prayer times. Some shops and restaurants pause briefly for each of the five daily prayers, so plan your day around them.
- Ramadan etiquette. If you travel in Ramadan, do not eat, drink or smoke in public during daylight hours.
Let Insha Travel handle the details
Every Insha Travel Umrah package bundles your flights, hotels near the Haram and airport transfers, and our team guides you through the visa route that fits your trip. Whether you are travelling on a budget, with family, or in a group, we make the journey from application to arrival straightforward.