The Complete 2026 Guide to the British Umrah Visa
For British Muslims, embarking on the spiritual journey of Umrah is a profoundly significant milestone. Thanks to Saudi Arabia’s modernized immigration system, applying for a British Umrah Visa has never been simpler. Gone are the days of tedious embassy visits and mountains of paperwork. Today, UK citizens have access to fully digital, streamlined visa options.
However, with multiple visa types available in 2026, choosing the correct one can be overwhelming. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the various Saudi visa options for British citizens, the latest costs, essential requirements, and step-by-step application instructions.
1. Types of Umrah Visas for British Citizens
The Saudi government offers several travel documents that legally permit UK citizens to perform Umrah. Selecting the right one depends on your travel plans, budget, and length of stay.
A. The Saudi Tourist eVisa (Multiple Entry)
This is the most popular choice for British pilgrims seeking flexibility. It allows you to perform Umrah and explore the rest of Saudi Arabia.
Validity: 1 year (365 days).
Entries: Multiple entries permitted.
Max Stay: Up to 90 days per visit.
Best For: Pilgrims who want to visit Saudi Arabia several times a year or combine Umrah with a family holiday.
B. The Electronic Visa Waiver (EVW)
A highly cost-effective, single-entry option specifically available to UK passport holders.
Validity: Valid for one continuous trip.
Max Stay: Up to 6 months (180 days).
Best For: Pilgrims planning a single, extended stay in the Kingdom without the need to travel back and forth.
C. Standard Umrah Visa (Single Entry)
This is the traditional route, usually processed directly by an approved UK travel agency.
Validity: Up to 90 days.
Entries: Single entry.
Best For: First-time pilgrims who want an all-inclusive package where the travel agency handles all documentation.
Expert Insight: None of these visas can be used to perform Hajj. During the designated Hajj season, entry to Makkah is strictly restricted to those holding a specific Hajj Visa.
[Internal Link Suggestion: “Differences Between Hajj and Umrah Explained”]
2. 2026 British Umrah Visa Costs
Budgeting for your trip requires understanding the updated visa fees for 2026. Keep in mind that costs can fluctuate slightly based on daily exchange rates and whether you apply independently or through an agency.
Tourist eVisa: £150 – £200 (Includes mandatory Saudi health insurance).
Electronic Visa Waiver (EVW): £30 – £50 (Health insurance must be purchased separately).
Standard Umrah Visa via Agent: £100 – £150 (Often bundled into the total cost of an Umrah package).
3. Essential Requirements for UK Applicants
Before beginning your application, ensure you have all the necessary documentation ready to avoid delays or rejections.
Valid British Passport: Your passport must have at least six months of validity remaining from your intended date of entry.
Digital Photograph: A recent, clear passport-style photo with a plain white background.
Meningitis ACWY Certificate: A mandatory health requirement. You must carry proof of your Meningococcal quadrivalent vaccine when passing through Saudi immigration.
Confirmed Travel Details: For the EVW specifically, you must provide exact inbound and outbound flight numbers and hotel accommodation details.
4. How to Apply Online: Step-by-Step
Applying for a British Umrah Visa independently is a straightforward digital process:
Visit the Official Portal: Navigate to the Saudi MOFA (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) website or the official Visit Saudi portal.
Select Your Visa Type: Choose between the Tourist eVisa or the Electronic Visa Waiver based on your travel needs.
Enter Your Details: Carefully input your passport data. Ensure your name matches the Machine Readable Zone (MRZ) on your passport exactly.
Pay the Fee: Submit your payment via a secure credit or debit card.
Download the Nusuk App: Once your visa is approved (usually within 24 to 48 hours), download the official Saudi Nusuk App. You will need this to book your time slots for the Rawdah Mubarak in Madinah.
[Internal Link Suggestion: “Step-by-Step Guide: Booking Your Rawdah Permit on the Nusuk App”]
5. Pro-Tips for a Smooth Journey
Print Everything: While the system is digital, technology can fail. Keep printed copies of your approved visa, flight itineraries, hotel bookings, and vaccination certificates.
Verify Your Name: A single typo on your visa application can result in you being denied boarding at Heathrow, Gatwick, or Manchester airports. Double-check your entries!
Travel Insurance: If you opt for the EVW, remember that it does not include medical coverage. Always purchase comprehensive travel insurance before flying.
Which options does a British passport unlock?
British citizens currently have more Saudi entry routes than almost any other nationality, and every one of them permits Umrah outside Hajj season (checked November 2026). The UK Foreign Office lists the tourist eVisa, the ETA and the electronic visa waiver on its Saudi entry page, alongside the Umrah visa sold through licensed providers.
| Option | Valid for | Stay allowed | Health insurance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tourist eVisa | 365 days, multiple entry | Up to 90 days in total | Included, up to 100,000 SAR |
| ETA | 730 days, multiple entry | Up to 180 days in total | Not included |
| Electronic visa waiver | One entry | Up to 180 days | Not included |
| Umrah visa (package) | Must be used within 30 days of issue | Covers your package dates | Included |
The new Saudi ETA for UK citizens
Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs introduced the electronic travel authorisation for UK citizens from 1 July 2026. GOV.UK says it covers tourism, business, study, medical treatment and Umrah outside Hajj season, and is applied for on the ksavisa.sa platform.
Its long validity suits people who travel to Saudi Arabia often, for example for work as well as worship. The trade-off is that it carries no health insurance, so you would need your own travel cover that includes medical treatment there. Visas issued before the ETA existed stay valid on their original terms.
Tourist eVisa: the familiar choice
The tourist eVisa has been open to British citizens since 2019 and is applied for at visa.visitsaudi.com. It lasts a year and lets you visit several times, up to 90 days in total, and its built-in insurance covers medical costs up to 100,000 Saudi riyals.
GOV.UK notes that the eVisa can also be issued on arrival at international airports. We never plan a package around that, because check-in staff in the UK may hesitate to board a passenger without a visa, and a refusal at Jeddah would end the trip before it starts.
When the visa waiver makes sense
The electronic visa waiver gives one entry and a stay of up to 180 days, and you need flight details to apply. It is most useful for someone making a single long visit, such as a month in Madinah after a package ends. The visa waiver guide explains who qualifies and how the application window works.
Documents British pilgrims need
- A full British passport with at least six months left after your arrival date.
- A meningitis ACWY certificate, with the vaccine given at least 10 days before you land.
- Your name exactly as printed in the passport, including middle names.
- A Nusuk account linked to your visa, for the Umrah permit and Rawdah booking.
Many GP surgeries do not offer the ACWY jab for travel, so most people get it at a travel clinic or pharmacy. Keep the certificate with your passport, as it can be asked for at check-in.
Dual nationals: which passport to use
If you hold British citizenship and another nationality, apply for the Saudi visa on your British passport and travel on it both ways. British and Irish citizens do not need a UK eVisa, so using the British passport avoids any question at check-in on the way home.
Applying on one passport and flying on another causes problems at Saudi immigration, because the visa is tied to the passport number. Keep the second passport at home unless your quote says otherwise.
Ihram, Miqat and arrival in Jeddah
Flights from the UK cross the Miqat, the boundary where pilgrims enter Ihram, before the aircraft lands in Jeddah. Ihram is the state of consecration for Umrah, so most British pilgrims change at home or at the airport and make their intention when the crew announce the Miqat.
Saudi immigration scans your passport and checks the visa linked to it, which is why the passport number on the visa must match. Our coach then takes you to Makkah for hotel check-in and Umrah.
Claims to treat with care
Older websites, including the previous version of this one, mentioned visa on arrival for UK passports and instant waivers without explaining the limits. The waiver needs applying for at least 48 hours before your flight, and on-arrival issue is an option, not something a tour should depend on.
Hajj is never covered by these routes and needs a separate Hajj visa through the official Nusuk Hajj platform. For the wider checklist, including packing and health, see our Umrah requirements for UK travellers.
