The Ultimate Guide to the Saudi Umrah Visa for Indonesian Passport Holders in the UK
Performing Umrah is a lifelong dream for millions of Indonesians. Traditionally, obtaining an Umrah visa with an Indonesian passport meant handing your passport over to a local travel agent (Biro Perjalanan) and booking a rigid, pre-planned package.
However, if you are an Indonesian citizen living in the United Kingdom, you have a massive advantage. Thanks to Saudi Arabia’s updated visa regulations, Indonesian passport holders with valid UK residency or a used UK visa qualify for “Group B” Conditional Eligibility. This allows you to apply for the highly flexible Saudi Multiple Entry Tourist eVisa, which legally permits you to perform Umrah independently (Umrah Mandiri).
In this comprehensive guide, we will explain exactly how to leverage your UK status to secure your Saudi Umrah visa online.
The “UK Resident” Advantage: Unlocking the eVisa
Generally, Indonesia is not on the list of eligible countries for the standard Saudi eVisa. However, the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) has created exceptions for foreign nationals holding high-tier visas or residencies.
As an Indonesian citizen, you are fully eligible to apply for the online Saudi Tourist eVisa if you meet one of the following criteria:
You hold a valid UK Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) or permanent residency.
You hold a valid UK Standard Visitor Visa that has been used at least once. (Note: If you have a fresh UK visa, you must enter the UK with it first before it becomes valid for the Saudi eVisa).
Expert Insight: Applying for the eVisa allows you to perform Umrah Mandiri (DIY Umrah). You do not need a sponsor (Kafeel) or a Letter of Invitation. You are free to book your own flights from London or Manchester and choose your own hotels in Makkah and Madinah via standard booking sites.
eVisa vs. Traditional Umrah Visa for Indonesians
Why should an Indonesian in the UK choose the Tourist eVisa over a traditional agency-issued Umrah visa?
| Feature | Saudi Multiple Entry eVisa (via UK Status) | Traditional Indonesian Umrah Visa |
|---|---|---|
| Application Method | 100% Online (Approved in hours) | Paper-based via an approved agency |
| Validity | 1 Year (Multiple Entry) | Typically 30 to 90 Days (Single Entry) |
| Allowed Stay | Up to 90 days per visit | Tied to your agency’s package schedule |
| Flexibility | Travel anywhere in Saudi Arabia freely | Often restricted to holy cities and Jeddah |
| Mahram Rule | Not required for female travellers | Varies by agency and age restrictions |
Requirements for Indonesian Applicants in the UK
To ensure your application is approved without delays, gather the following documents before you begin:
Valid Indonesian Passport: Must have at least six months of validity remaining from your planned date of entry into Saudi Arabia.
Proof of UK Status: A clear scan of your UK BRP, settlement status, or your valid, used UK visa stamped inside your passport.
Passport-Style Photo: A recent digital photo with a white background.
Name Formatting: Ensure your passport has at least two names (e.g., “Budi Santoso”). If you have a single name (e.g., “Budi”), you will need to enter it twice (First Name: Budi, Last Name: Budi) or use your father’s name as per MOFA instructions.
Payment Card: A valid UK or international debit/credit card to pay the processing fee.
Note: You must carry a valid Meningococcal (ACWY) vaccination certificate when travelling, as this is checked by Saudi immigration.
How to Apply for the Umrah eVisa Online (Step-by-Step)
The digital application process is streamlined and eliminates the need to visit the Saudi Embassy in London.
Visit the Official Portal: Navigate to the official Visit Saudi eVisa website.
Select the Exception Category: When asked for your nationality, select Indonesia. The system will prompt you to indicate if you hold a valid UK/US/Schengen visa or residency. Select “Yes” and enter your UK details.
Fill in Personal Data: Enter your details exactly as they appear on your Indonesian passport.
Upload Documents: Upload the scan of your passport bio-page and your UK BRP or used UK Visa.
Pay the Fees: The cost is approximately £80 to £114 (roughly 402 to 535 SAR). This fee covers the visa processing and the mandatory Saudi health insurance.
Receive Approval: Most applications are approved and emailed within 24 to 48 hours. Print the PDF to present at the airport.
Crucial Restrictions to Keep in Mind
Hajj is Excluded: You cannot perform Hajj on the Tourist eVisa. During Hajj season, entry to Makkah is strictly restricted for eVisa holders.
Download the Nusuk App: Once your visa is approved, you must download the official Saudi Nusuk App to book your mandatory time slots for performing Umrah and praying in the Rawdah Mubarak in Madinah.
Flight Rules: You can fly directly from the UK to Jeddah (JED) or Madinah (MED) using airlines like Saudia, British Airways, or Wizz Air.
Conclusion
Living in the United Kingdom provides Indonesian citizens with a golden opportunity to bypass complex visa procedures and perform Umrah with unprecedented freedom. By utilizing your UK residency or visa status, you can secure a 1-Year Multiple Entry Saudi eVisa online in a matter of minutes. Prepare your documents, book your flights, and embark on a peaceful Umrah Mandiri journey tailored entirely to your own schedule.
The route for Indonesian citizens
An Umrah visa arranged through an authorised provider is the normal route for an Indonesian passport travelling from the UK (checked November 2026). Indonesia is not one of the 66 nationalities listed for the Saudi tourist eVisa, so applying there by nationality is not possible.
At home in Indonesia, Umrah is usually booked through licensed local operators. From the UK you do not need one; a UK company working with an authorised Saudi provider can arrange the visa, and our packages already include it.
Students and the eVisa question
A Student visa does not make you a UK permanent resident, so it does not open the Saudi eVisa through residence. Those who have already entered Britain on a UK visitor or business visa may qualify through that rule, but the portal makes the final call.
For most Indonesian students, the Umrah visa is simpler. It comes with the health insurance Saudi Arabia requires, and we time it to your flight.
Passports with a single name
Some Indonesian passports show one name only, which visa forms and airline systems handle in different ways. Some place it in the surname field and some in the given-name field, and a mismatch between the ticket and the visa can cause delays at check-in.
If this applies to you, send us a photo of your passport data page and any endorsement page before we book flights. We will match the ticket, visa and Nusuk account to the way your passport presents your name.
Documents you will need
- Indonesian passport valid for six months after your arrival in Saudi Arabia.
- Meningitis ACWY certificate, at least 10 days old on arrival.
- Your UK eVisa linked in your UKVI account to the same passport.
- For students, a return date before your UK permission ends.
Saudi health rules ask travellers arriving from Indonesia to show polio vaccination. That rule follows where you travel from, so it does not normally apply to a direct flight from the UK, but it would if you went home to Indonesia first.
Airlines check your UK permission when you check in for the flight home, and that check uses your UKVI account. If your Student visa was extended or your passport renewed at the embassy in London, update the account before you leave.
Timing around term dates
University breaks line up well with Umrah season. The Christmas Umrah packages fit the winter break, and the spring term often overlaps with Ramadan, expected to start around 8 February 2027, subject to moon sighting.
A short 3-star package of 7 nights is often the most realistic option for students balancing deadlines and cost. Book the package first; we apply for the visa within the 30-day window before your flight.
2025 visa pause and the Hajj closure
Indonesia was among 14 countries whose citizens faced a pause on new business, family visit and tourist eVisas from April 2025, ahead of Hajj. Umrah visas ran to their own seasonal calendar, which closes for every nationality before Hajj.
Last season, issuing stopped on 1 Shawwal and the final entry date was 15 Shawwal. Based on last season's rules, avoid April and May 2027; we confirm 2027 dates when announced.
Combining Umrah with a trip home
If you plan to fly home to Indonesia after Umrah, tell us before booking, because a one-way return to the UK is not part of our standard packages. Some students do this at the end of a course, when their UK visa is close to ending.
In that case, make sure the Saudi visa and your onward ticket line up, and that you do not need to re-enter the UK. Starting the trip in Indonesia instead brings in the polio rule mentioned above.
Students travelling in groups
University Islamic societies sometimes organise trips together. Our youth Umrah packages suit groups of friends, and each member still needs their own Umrah visa based on their passport. Mixed groups with British, Malaysian and Indonesian members may each have different routes, as Malaysia is on the eVisa list and Indonesia is not.
What happens after you accept a quote
- Send a photo of your passport data page and any name endorsement.
- Confirm your UK permission end date.
- Share your meningitis ACWY certificate.
- We lodge the Umrah visa within 30 days of the flight and email it to you.
Avoiding common mistakes
- Booking a cheap flight in one name format and the visa in another.
- Letting a Student visa expire during or just after the trip.
- Starting the trip from Jakarta without checking the polio rule.
- Paying unofficial sites for a Saudi eVisa you are not eligible for.
