There are mainly two types of visas available for travellers to Saudi Arabia aiming to perform Umrah - Tourist Visa & Umrah Visa.

Tourist Visa
Citizens from 49 are eligible countries (Click here to find out if your country is eligible! https://visa.visitsaudi.com/) to receive a Tourist visa either by applying online at saudivisit.com or upon arrival at the Airports of Saudi Arabia. However, due to COVID-19 related restrictions, the on-arrival visa service is still suspended. In case a traveler is a permanent resident of the eligible 49 countries but not a citizen, then a tourist visa can be applied at the Saudi Embassy of the country of residence. Citizens of other countries that are not included in the list of eligible countries having valid tourist visa of USA 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 & allow multiple entry. In each entry, tourists can stay up to 90 days in Saudi Arabia. Currently, travellers with two doses of approved vaccination Astra-Zenica, Pfizer, Moderna or a single dose of Johnson n Johnson with documentary proof are permitted to enter Saudi Arabia on tourist visa. There are no age limit restrictions 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, travellers with two doses of approved vaccination AstraZeneca, Pfizer, Moderna and J&J/Janssen with documentary proof are permitted to enter Saudi Arabia on 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 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 Vaccine
  • Maqam Arrival Registration
  • Tawakalna App
• Your UmrahCompanion Usher will receive you on arrival and assist you in purchasing and initiating your Saudi SIM
• You MUST purchase 1 SIM card for every traveller! 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
• Once you connect with your Transport Coordinator, he/she will ensure you safely and easily transition to your mode of transportation (Bus/SUV/Car/Train)

Check In

• Upon arrival to 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, minor room issues) 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 train and guide you throughout the pilgrimage process

Return

• In preparation for 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 Travel 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 of 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 of 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 tourism 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.

Quarantine is no longer required from any country or visa type!

Currently, travellers with two doses of approved vaccination Astra-Zenica, Pfizer, Moderna or a single dose of Johnson n Johnson with documentary proof are permitted to enter Saudi Arabia on tourist visa. There are no age limit restrictions 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.

Your most recent dose must be MORE than 14 days prior to you arrival in Saudi Arabia!

You may be required to visit a hospital or quarantine if a PCR test returns positive.

Your expenses will be covered by COVID-19 insurance.

Tourist visa holders require COVID-19 insurance, which is included in the price of your tourist visa.

If you are a resident in 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 to always check with your carrier before flying into the Kingdom as regulations can change suddenly.