There are mainly two types of visas available for travelers coming to Saudi Arabia looking to perform Umrah - a Tourist Visa & an Umrah Visa.

Tourist Visa

Travelers can receive a tourist visa if they are citizens of one of the 49 eligible countries (Click here to find out if your country is eligible https://visa.visitsaudi.com/) either by applying online at saudivisit.com or upon arrival at one of the airports in Saudi Arabia. In case a traveler is a permanent resident of the eligible 49 countries but not a citizen, then a tourist visa can be applied for at the Saudi Embassy in their country of residence. Citizens of other countries that are not included in the list of eligible countries but have a valid tourist visa for the United States or Schengen may also qualify for a Saudi tourist visa from a Saudi Arabian embassy or upon arrival at Saudi airports (once this service resumes). Tourist visas are valid for 12 months and allow multiple entries. Upon each entry, tourists can stay up to 90 days in Saudi Arabia. Currently, travelers with two doses of an approved COVID-19 vaccine; Astra-Zenica, Pfizer, Moderna or a single dose of Johnson n Johnson and have documentary proof are permitted to enter Saudi Arabia on a tourist visa. There is no age limit to get a tourist visa. Travelers who have completed two doses of the Sinopharm or Sinovac vaccines will be accepted if they have received an additional dose of one of the four vaccines approved by the Kingdom. Umrah may be performed on a tourist visa.

Umrah Visa

Umrah visas can be issued through an online travel agency like UmrahCompanions.com or by a traditional travel agent with an active Umrah contract. It is a single entry, 30 days validity visa that can be obtained once a hotel and ground transport services package is reserved. Currently, travelers with two doses of approved vaccinations; AstraZeneca, Pfizer, Moderna, and J&J/Janssen, and with documentary proof are permitted to enter Saudi Arabia on an Umrah visa. Pilgrims who have completed two doses of the Sinopharm or Sinovac vaccines will be accepted if they have received an additional dose of one of the four vaccines approved in the Kingdom. Currently, children below the age of 12 years are not eligible for an Umrah visa.

Pre-Travel

• Making travel bookings via UmrahCompanions.com
• Flight to JED or MED
• Visa (Tourist or Umrah)
• Hotel
• Transport
• Ensuring your vaccine status is up to date with Saudi regulations (Click here)
• Maqam Registration (Click here)
• PCR test within 72 hours of final departure (Flight that lands in Saudi Arabia)
• Download Tawakalna App and Eatmarna App (Don’t register yet, just download!)

Travel and Arrival

• Arrival at airport
• Customs will require:
• PCR Test
• Tourist/Umrah Visa
• Proof of Vaccination
• Maqam Arrival Registration
• Tawakalna App
• Your UmrahCompanion usher will greet you upon arrival and assist you in purchasing and initiating your Saudi SIM card.
• You MUST purchase 1 SIM card for each traveler! SIM cards may be purchased from the airport.
• Registering with Tawakalna and Eatmarna using the Saudi phone number from your newly acquired SIM card.
• Tawakalna: Saudi Health App. Required to enter inside buildings including hotels, mosques, restaurants, malls, etc.
• Eatmarna: Pilgrimage Booking App. Required to book Umrah time slot, prayers in the Holy Mosques and the Rawdah, and visitation of the Prophet’s grave SAW.

Transport

• Your booking will include your transport coordinator’s contact details – get in contact with him/her once you receive your Saudi SIM card.
• Once you connect with your transport coordinator, he/she will ensure you are safely and easily transitioned to your preferred mode of transportation (Bus/SUV/Car/Train).

Check-In

• Upon arrival at your hotel, your check-in coordinator will welcome you to your hotel and assist you with the check-in process until you receive your room keys.
• For all hotel-related inquiries (new room keys, hotel amenities, minor room issues, etc.) you may contact the hotel reception directly.

Zayaraat (Historical Sightseeing) + Experiences

• Connect with your trip’s travel coordinator for your Zayaraat (Historical Sightseeing) and additional Attractions/Experiences
  
  

Pilgrimage

• Ensure your Eatmarna Umrah bookings have been made for every member of your trip individually. Bookings are per person on the Eatmarna app, not per group.
• Connect with your trip’s travel coordinator, he/she will ensure all logistical components (transport, stopping for Meeqat, directions on arrival, etc.) of your pilgrimage are taken care of.
• For religious guidance on the pilgrimage, you may refer to this video guide (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZ9n4V9lZkE) or hire a religious guide from our Additional Services page (link to Additional Services listing page here) who will educate and guide you throughout the pilgrimage process.

Return

• In preparation for your departure from Saudi Arabia, ensure you check your final destination’s arrival requirements through your airline.
• Generally, you will need to take a PCR test prior to departure. You may book your PCR test through our Additional Services page (link to Additional Services listing page here)
• Connect with your trip’s transport coordinator for your transportation to the airport.

Tawakalna: Saudi Health App. Required to enter inside buildings including hotels, mosques, restaurants, malls, etc.

Registering with Tawakalna must be done using a Saudi phone number from a Saudi SIM card which can be purchased at the airport upon arrival.

Eatmarna: Pilgrimage Booking App. Required to book Umrah time slot, prayers in the Holy Mosques and the Rawdah, and visitation of the Prophet’s grave SAW

Registering with Eatmarna must be done using a Saudi phone number from a Saudi SIM card which can be purchased at the airport upon arrival.

Note: Currently, children below the age of 12 years are not eligible to perform Umrah or enter the Holy Mosques.

Visitors from eligible countries can apply online through the tourism e-portal at visa.visitsaudi.com.

Visitors from countries not currently eligible for the e-visa can apply for a consulate visa via www.mofa.gov.sa.

The cost for a tourist eVisa is SAR 525, and a processing fee of SAR 10 for all applicants. The visa cost includes a fee for full health insurance.

Travelers who already hold a valid tourist visa which does not include COVID insurance will be required to pay a fee of SAR 40 on arrival at the airport to secure the necessary insurance.

It is better that you follow the rules and attend Umrah at the time specified on your Umrah Permit. If you missed your time slot, you can easily book again which is also specified if the permit expires.

Yes, it is permitted. The Umrah visa enables a mu’tamir to move freely between Makkah al-Mukarramah, Medina, Jeddah, Riyadh, Dammam, and all other cities of Saudi Arabia during the period of their permitted stay.

Yes, it is possible to perform Umrah with a visa that is not an Umrah visa, Umrah may be performed on a visitor, tourism, or work visa.

You can perform Umrah as many times as you’d like. There are no restrictions on the number of times Umrah may be performed.

If you are a resident of one of the suspended countries, you can enter the Kingdom with a valid tourist visa as long as you stay for 14 days in another third country, not on the suspended list. We advise you to always check with your carrier before flying into the Kingdom as regulations can change suddenly.

Yes, this is allowed. A mu’tamir may enter and leave Saudi Arabia by different means.

There are no specific airports required to enter and leave Saudi Arabia for a mu’tamir. A mu’tamir may enter and depart through any international or regional airport in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Health coverage for emergencies: 

• Treatment and hospital stay
• Pregnancy and childbirth emergencies 
• Dental emergencies
• Traffic accident emergencies
• Emergency kidney dialysis cases
• Internal and external medical evacuation

General coverage: 

• Accidental permanent total disability
• Accidental death
• Death due to natural disasters
• Returning the body of the deceased to his/her country of residence
• The diyah issues by a court ruling

Travel-related coverage:

• Flight delay compensation
• Flight cancellation compensation

Note: These coverages are for the person insured by the Umrah Insurance Certificate

What 11 things are not included in the Umrah Insurance Package?
According to Akaz newspaper, officials say that the insurance package does not include non-emergency treatment and examinations, artificial teeth installation, fixed, or mobile bridge installation treatment. Tests for eye or ear defects, correction of hearing and vision aids, examination, and treatment of pregnancy of more than six months are also not covered. Physical death or physical disability of the insured visitor, if the insured commits an act causing his/her death or total disability is not included in the package. The cost of sending the dead body of the insured to any country other than his/her home country will not be covered. Notification, announcement, or delay of flight should be given in advance by the airline itself. No claim will be made for theft, damage, or indirect loss of the visitor's luggage, loss of luggage, or financial loss not specifically mentioned in the insurance policy. Cancellation of flights due to a strike or cancellation of flights due to action taken before the effective date of the insurance policy is not included in the package.

You can view the Umrah Insurance certificate, check its validity, and explore the service providers by visiting the Comprehensive Pilgrims Insurance program website for the Guests of Allah through www.riaya-ksa.com 

For more information and inquiries:
Local phone: (800) 440-0008

International phone: 009-661-3812-9700